40-Year-Old Samsung Refrigerator Used for Three Generations Returns to Samsung's Care

1985 Manufactured 'Multipurpose 5S Refrigerator'

A Samsung Electronics refrigerator released in 1985 is returning to Samsung Electronics after 38 years.

According to Samsung Electronics Newsroom on the 24th, a 1985 Samsung 'Multipurpose 5S Refrigerator' used in the home of Ms. Lee Sook-hee was recently donated to the Samsung Innovation Museum, Samsung Electronics' electronic industry museum.

'Multipurpose 5S Refrigerator' Donated to Samsung Innovation Museum
Photo by Samsung Electronics

This refrigerator was purchased as a wedding gift when Ms. Lee's parents started their newlywed life in a three-pyeong (approximately 9.9 square meters) single room in 1986. Ms. Lee said, "My parents thought the refrigerator was the most necessary item, so despite their limited means, they made a big decision to buy it."

Since then, the refrigerator has been used by three generations for nearly 40 years. Ms. Lee recalled, "I remember there was always orange juice in a glass bottle when I opened the refrigerator as a child," and added, "My parents started using it before I was born, and now it is known as the 'grandma's house snack refrigerator' to our children."

Samsung Electronics explained, "The '1985-born' Multipurpose 5S Refrigerator resembles the functions and design of the latest Samsung Electronics Bespoke refrigerators," noting features such as customizable design allowing consumers to choose colors and materials, multi-pantry for maintaining ingredient freshness, and customized storage compartments.

The refrigerator also has functions similar to modern refrigerators, such as adjusting the internal temperature controller to convert the freezer into a refrigerator or turning off only the refrigerator compartment to save energy as needed.

Mr. Seo Guk-jung, a technical consultant who joined Samsung Electronics in 1991 and was responsible for refrigerator technology development for 32 years, said, "The Multipurpose 5S Refrigerator can be considered the origin of Bespoke personalized functions in that the freezer can be used as a refrigerator." He added, "Starting from this, various functions to improve energy efficiency have been developed and applied to Samsung Electronics home appliances."

The donor, Ms. Lee, received a request from a film production company to purchase the refrigerator as a filming prop, but she decided to donate it to a place that appreciates the value of the refrigerator used by three generations, believing it would be more meaningful to preserve the memories.

Ms. Lee said, "I think my children will be very happy to see this refrigerator when we visit the Samsung Innovation Museum later," and added, "I hope the refrigerator, used by generations from my parents to my children, will now be meaningfully utilized for many more people."