In 1977, an important and extensive exhibition took place at the Cheb Gallery — it was the very first time the subject of design had been presented in the Czech lands. Organised by Milena Lamarová, who was already an internationally renowned curator at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, the exhibition showcased design’s historical roots as well as its contemporary production in traditional sectors such as glass, furniture, ceramics, and engineering. Lamarová was not afraid to make the term “design” the main message of the exhibition, although the word had more or less been banned during the Cold War and normalisation; in fact, it had almost disappeared from public discourse because it smacked too much of the capitalist standards of production and way-of-life. That Cheb exhibition marked a first step towards processing the history of design in this region. Lamarová also wanted to make people aware that even during socialist times, when there was a shortage of consumer goods, our industry was capable of high-quality production in cooperation with artists. This presentation was thus intended to signal that despite hardship it was still possible to surround oneself with good, functional, affordable items produced in Czechoslovakia. The exhibition proceeded abroad, travelling to Romania, Finland, and the Soviet Union, promoting Czechoslovakia as a country rich in artistic culture and advanced industrial production in traditional areas.