In the Soviet Union, where car care products were scarce, drivers relied on ingenuity — especially military chauffeurs. During the damp autumn months, window fogging became a serious problem: visibility dropped instantly, and there were no air conditioners or modern anti-fog solutions. Drivers had to improvise.
Today, motorists might say: “Clean the glass and apply an anti-fog spray.” But a Soviet driver, who saw such chemicals only in foreign magazines, used simple household soap. They applied a grid pattern and polished it in — protecting the glass from fogging for several days.
However, army drivers had their own, more effective method.
Chauffeurs of high-ranking officers often complained: the moment generals got into the car, the windows fogged up from their breath. Wiping them with mittens was useless, and Soviet cars had no air-conditioning. So drivers had to find another solution.
Inside every gas mask bag, there was a small pocket with a special anti-fog pencil — designed to keep the lenses of the mask clear. The army had plenty of gas masks, and resourceful chauffeurs quickly learned to use these anti-fog sticks on car windows.
The compound spread easily, worked longer than household soap, and kept the windshield perfectly clear. Thanks to this trick, drivers could transport officers safely and comfortably even in bad weather.
A simple, clever solution that solved a problem we now handle with a single button.
