Man still used desktop fan made in USSR in 1967 – but receives worrying warning
A man who admitted to owning a desktop fan manufactured in the USSR in the 1960s has been warned against using the device for a very good reason.
A Reddit user has confessed to still using his trusty desktop fan – more than half a century after it was manfactured in the former USSR.
Sharing a snap of his antique on the MildlyInteresting subreddit, he wrote: "I’m still using a fan that was made in 1967."
With its dusty rubber blades and faded paintwork on its aluminium base, the appliance has clearly seen better days, prompting others to question its safety – particularly as it lacks a guard.
"Well, the flaps are made of a rubber, so it only hurts as a slap, depends which angle you decide to put your fingers on," the orginal poster joked in response to several queries. "Although the main safety concern is not to get electrocuted."
He added: "If it short’s circuit safety switch of the house would turn it off, so fire won’t be an issue. You just need not to touch the aluminium body with your open palms, and you will be alright."
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Others, meanwhile, advised the man he risks "burning his house down" should he continue to use the fan.
"Please update that power cable," one person recommended. "The plastic coating looks terrible and prone to cracking by now."
Another agreed: "Even if this fan technically works, it's an electrical accident waiting to happen. There doesn't appear to be any grounding for the fan, and the whole body is metal... not a good time if something goes wrong. Also, you might just end up with exposed wire if the exterior cracks at all."
A third added: "Just a word of caution, my parents had a lamp from a similar era plugged into an outlet (not even on, just plugged in) that randomly shorted out in the middle of the night and set their house on fire. Made me think twice about having old appliances around."
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Meanwhile a fourth quipped: "Be sure to post an update about any electrical fire that might happen in the future."
Others, however, threw caution to the wind assuring the fan's owner if it's lasted this long then why stop now.
"If it ain't broke, keep using it!" one user declared. "We still use our 50+ year old Electrolux canister vacuum. It's a hideous teal colour."
A second person praised: "I look at it in terms of sustainability: these things were built to last so you don't have to purchase something new every few years."
And a third agreed: "Our family still uses a microwave that’s 30yrs old. If it’s working, why change it, right?"