A cultural history of DIY in the Federal Republic. Even in the 1950s, West German observers were astonished by the extent of the do-it-yourself enthusiasm in the USA. However, since the 1980s, Germans have also been known as a "nation of drillers and tinkerers." Historian Jonathan Voges examines this development from social, cultural, consumer, and business historical perspectives. He demonstrates how, in just a few decades, DIY became a mass movement, what conditions were necessary for this, and what consequences it had. Based on a broad range of sources, he analyzes the development of one of today's most popular leisure activities. This leads to unexpected perspectives on central themes of German post-war history, including the relationship between work and leisure as well as gender relations.