The "Good Ol' Days"—Then versus Now

[hygiene903]

Jeff and Cheesewonton, have you considered being or are you docents?

I'd ask you, too, Jimmy, but I know your hands are full at this time.

Actually, I guess I AM a docent, although I never thought of there being a title for what I do, other than volunteer. I have been volunteering at the Main Street Free Press Museum in Fredericktown, Ohio for 25 years now. This is the building and equipment that used to be the Knox County Citizen. We have an open house during the Fredericktown Tomato Show, which happens the week following Labor Day each year, and I print cards that we hand out to visitors on an old hand fed, foot powered platen letterpress, while explaining the letterpress process to them. Also, during the rest of the year, I go down there from time to time for a workday, either working on equipment or doing general work to make the place more presentable. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here's a picture of me running the press.
And by the way Paul, thank you for the compliment about my double major in college. But it wasn't really that hard to do. After I had been at college for about a year, I was looking at the course catalog when it was time to select classes for the next quarter and realized that the classes for the Business Admin. major and Higher Accounting major were mostly the same, except for just a few that each major had that the other one didn't. I figured that with so much overlap, I could have both majors with just a couple more quarters' work than what it would take for either one, so I went for it and got both associate degrees. Unfortunately, I was never able to make a career out of it, but that's OK--about 2 years after I graduated, I got back into the Printing Industry, which WAS my career for most of my working years.
Jeff

 

[cheesewonton]

I forgot to mention that old Plymouth had manual steering and manual brakes. No power assisted anything. The steering took around 12 turns lock to lock and required real arm strength to park it.

 

[cheesewonton]

They all have very nice names!

Some 1980's and 90's Electrolux canister vacuums had names shared with cars or trucks, like Silverado ( Chevy truck ) , Marquis and Grand Marquis ( big floaty boat Mercury's ), Ambassador ( American Motors top of the line car ) and Diplomat ( top of the line Opel ).

 

[huskyvacs]

I forgot to mention that old Plymouth had manual steering and manual brakes. No power assisted anything. The steering took around 12 turns lock to lock and required real arm strength to park it.

This is also why having a huge steering wheel mattered a lot and was more than just bling bling for most cars, it was a selling point.

 

[eurekaprince]

I would love to see a revival of the classic vacuum tool caddy to store and carry a cleaner’s attachments - and even bags and filters and instruction manuals. It would not take much to add a sturdy cardboard caddy that shipped flattened in the vacuum’s original box. All you would have to do is assemble it just like a Banker’s file box. It would not need designated storage placement for each tool - just a nice open box that could sit next to the cleaner in the closet….with maybe a reinforced handle cut out that would not rip after a few years of use.

 

[paul]

Actually, I guess I AM a docent, although I never thought of there being a title for what I do, other than volunteer. I have been volunteering at the Main Street Free Press Museum in Fredericktown, Ohio for 25 years now. This is the building and equipment that used to be the Knox County Citizen. We have an open house during the Fredericktown Tomato Show, which happens the week following Labor Day each year, and I print cards that we hand out to visitors on an old hand fed, foot powered platen letterpress, while explaining the letterpress process to them. Also, during the rest of the year, I go down there from time to time for a workday, either working on equipment or doing general work to make the place more presentable. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here's a picture of me running the press.
And by the way Paul, thank you for the compliment about my double major in college. But it wasn't really that hard to do. After I had been at college for about a year, I was looking at the course catalog when it was time to select classes for the next quarter and realized that the classes for the Business Admin. major and Higher Accounting major were mostly the same, except for just a few that each major had that the other one didn't. I figured that with so much overlap, I could have both majors with just a couple more quarters' work than what it would take for either one, so I went for it and got both associate degrees. Unfortunately, I was never able to make a career out of it, but that's OK--about 2 years after I graduated, I got back into the Printing Industry, which WAS my career for most of my working years.
Jeff
View attachment 171647

Hi Jeff,

I'm sure that you've been a blessing to MSFP due to your personality and knowledge! We're fortunate to have you at VL, too.

Your modesty matches your college achievements; I am even more impressed. Many college students take career paths outside of their majors. Thanks for the photo of you at the printing press.

 

[paul]

I would love to see a revival of the classic vacuum tool caddy to store and carry a cleaner’s attachments - and even bags and filters and instruction manuals. It would not take much to add a sturdy cardboard caddy that shipped flattened in the vacuum’s original box. All you would have to do is assemble it just like a Banker’s file box. It would not need designated storage placement for each tool - just a nice open box that could sit next to the cleaner in the closet….with maybe a reinforced handle cut out that would not rip after a few years of use.

Great to see your post, Brian! I miss your regular contributions.

 

[paul]

Some 1980's and 90's Electrolux canister vacuums had names shared with cars or trucks, like Silverado ( Chevy truck ) , Marquis and Grand Marquis ( big floaty boat Mercury's ), Ambassador ( American Motors top of the line car ) and Diplomat ( top of the line Opel ).

I have often thought that the floor & surface care appliance industry took its cue from the automotive industry not only with model names, but also with its ample variety of contemporaneous model trims to suit many preferences such as Hoover and Eureka have had. Custom-King by Thompson & Sons, though, is the only one of which I'm aware that provided for customer customization.

Another example of the auto industry's influence on floor & surface care appliance manufacturing is the Eureka Corvette model 52 hand vac (eBay photo):

 

[centralsweeper63]

"Look honey, a Corvette." "What are you pointing at honey." The vacuum, look, right there."

 

[cheesewonton]

I have often thought that the floor & surface care appliance industry took its cue from the automotive industry not only with model names, but also with its ample variety of contemporaneous model trims to suit many preferences such as Hoover and Eureka have had. Custom-King by Thompson & Sons, though, is the only one of which I'm aware that provided for customer customization.

Another example of the auto industry's influence on floor & surface care appliance manufacturing is the Eureka Corvette model 52 hand vac (eBay photo):

There was a vacuum in the 1950s who's name escapes me now that looked a bit like a Tristar with big fins on the back. And that Westinghouse MC-1 had car like styling and fins too.

 

[centralsweeper63]

Was it the Atlas?

 

[cheesewonton]

Was it the Atlas?

Yes !

 

[centralsweeper63]

I love the styling of the Atlas.

 

[cheesewonton]

I love the styling of the Atlas.

I probably need to add one to the collection eventually.

 

[centralsweeper63]

I need infinite money or free shipping for getting lots of US/UK/AU vacuums.

 

[cheesewonton]

I need infinite money or free shipping for getting lots of US/UK/AU vacuums.

Jupiter ( the orange colored gas giant ) and his tariffs put a huge crimp in my collecting from Japan and parts buying from Europe. Even buying from places in Canada I have dealt with for ages like Superior Vacuum and Miracle Mate has become too expensive.

 

[centralsweeper63]

It was too expensive even before it. It was/is like $800-1200 for ONE vacuum.

 

[cheesewonton]

It was too expensive even before it. It was/is like $800-1200 for ONE vacuum.

I was buying new Panasonic vacuums from Japan for around $250 and used ones for under $50. Heck I bought a new in the box Airstream EX20 ( Japan market Tristar CXL/DXL ) for under $10. But with tariffs and customs broker fees my most recent purchase of a box of 20 Panasonic synthetic AMC-HC12 dust bags with shipping ended up costing me $75. Still cheaper than the same quantity of Miele FJM bags : / but a lot more than I was paying before.

 

[hygiene903]

Hi Jeff,

I'm sure that you've been a blessing to MSFP due to your personality and knowledge! We're fortunate to have you at VL, too.

Your modesty matches your college achievements; I am even more impressed. Many college students take career paths outside of their majors. Thanks for the photo of you at the printing press.

Thank you Paul, for the kind compliments! The family that owns the museum (daughter & sons of the man who owned and published the newspaper there for 35 years) have often expressed their appreciation for what I do there. For me, it's a labor of love and I enjoy what I do there. Printing was not only a career for most of my working years, but a trade that I enjoyed so much that I took it up as a hobby as well! 22 years of the Printing career was at United Church Directories (later Lifetouch). If you've ever seen a church directory with a leatherette cover printed with gold or silver ink, I most likely printed that cover! The picture that follows shows me running some order forms on the same Heidelberg press that I printed the covers on.
As for the hobby end of it, I started out with tabletop presses and graduated up to floor models, and also have several cabinets of metal type, a paper cutter, and other items necessary for putting ink on paper. Also pictured is my Chandler & Price handfed press. Built in 1891 in Cleveland, OH, it is 31 years older than the one I run at the museum!
Another thing you might find interesting about my college time is that I got in "through the back door" so to speak. I never took an SAT or any other kind of college entrance exam. You might remember how things were in the early 80's. People were laid off (myself included), some factories were closing, and during that time I couldn't find any factory or printing work. There was a program called CETA that worked in cooperation with colleges & tech schools with the goal of teaching people a trade and giving them enough business education to go into business for themselves. My father-in-law helped me to get into the CETA Carpentry program at Mansfield Business College, where we worked on houses 4 days a week and had classwork 1 day a week. After the first quarter we were told that due to grant requirements we had to spend 4 days a week in class and only one day in carpentry, which we worked on in a shop behind the school. After that quarter ended, we were told the CETA program was over and we had 2 choices: pick a major and stay in school or drop out. A career change was in order at the time, so I stayed.
Another thing I wanted to mention, is that Silver King/Custom King didn't offer customization to customers. The Custom King program allowed dealers or distributors to custom order units provided that they ordered 8 of them the same way. They had a choice of tank size and either a flow through or bypass motor, but again, they had to order 8 of them the same way.
Jeff

 

[huskyvacs]

I need infinite money or free shipping for getting lots of US/UK/AU vacuums.

Couple hundred bucks and luck, and to not be picky. I got several vacuums imported - before shipping rate hikes and tarrifs - for just about $60-$80 w/shipping. They were part of the global shipping program on ebay. there's no way to search for that you just have to get lucky. I got a classic late 1960s miele canister from a dutch german village for $85 with shipping. seller said "did not turn on". havent looked at it yet still. came with all tools and manuals.

 

[cheesewonton]

Couple hundred bucks and luck, and to not be picky. I got several vacuums imported - before shipping rate hikes and tarrifs - for just about $60-$80 w/shipping. They were part of the global shipping program on ebay. there's no way to search for that you just have to get lucky. I got a classic late 1960s miele canister from a dutch german village for $85 with shipping. seller said "did not turn on". havent looked at it yet still. came with all tools and manuals.

View attachment 171676

I have British Hoover canister from the 1980s to buff up when my new garage is finished. It has four 240 volt / 20 amp outlets and my plan is to make a box with a pair of normal European outlets that plugs into the four prong US 240 volt outlet. Then I can play with some European models.

 

[centralsweeper63]

I just need international luck. 'That will be 456.98 for your luck'

 

[paul]

Thank you Paul, for the kind compliments! The family that owns the museum (daughter & sons of the man who owned and published the newspaper there for 35 years) have often expressed their appreciation for what I do there. For me, it's a labor of love and I enjoy what I do there. Printing was not only a career for most of my working years, but a trade that I enjoyed so much that I took it up as a hobby as well! 22 years of the Printing career was at United Church Directories (later Lifetouch). If you've ever seen a church directory with a leatherette cover printed with gold or silver ink, I most likely printed that cover! The picture that follows shows me running some order forms on the same Heidelberg press that I printed the covers on.
As for the hobby end of it, I started out with tabletop presses and graduated up to floor models, and also have several cabinets of metal type, a paper cutter, and other items necessary for putting ink on paper. Also pictured is my Chandler & Price handfed press. Built in 1891 in Cleveland, OH, it is 31 years older than the one I run at the museum!
Another thing you might find interesting about my college time is that I got in "through the back door" so to speak. I never took an SAT or any other kind of college entrance exam. You might remember how things were in the early 80's. People were laid off (myself included), some factories were closing, and during that time I couldn't find any factory or printing work. There was a program called CETA that worked in cooperation with colleges & tech schools with the goal of teaching people a trade and giving them enough business education to go into business for themselves. My father-in-law helped me to get into the CETA Carpentry program at Mansfield Business College, where we worked on houses 4 days a week and had classwork 1 day a week. After the first quarter we were told that due to grant requirements we had to spend 4 days a week in class and only one day in carpentry, which we worked on in a shop behind the school. After that quarter ended, we were told the CETA program was over and we had 2 choices: pick a major and stay in school or drop out. A career change was in order at the time, so I stayed.
Another thing I wanted to mention, is that Silver King/Custom King didn't offer customization to customers. The Custom King program allowed dealers or distributors to custom order units provided that they ordered 8 of them the same way. They had a choice of tank size and either a flow through or bypass motor, but again, they had to order 8 of them the same way.
Jeff
View attachment 171674View attachment 171675

You're most welcome, Jeff!

A career that becomes a hobby sounds awesome!

My churches had United/Lifetouch pictorial directories made but only with the glossy heavier-weight paper covers; the leatherette covers would be great to have for anniversary editions!

Thanks for the photos of you at the Heidelberg press and of your C & P handled press—how cool!

And thank God for back doors—good for you!

 

[paul]

I have British Hoover canister from the 1980s to buff up when my new garage is finished. It has four 240 volt / 20 amp outlets and my plan is to make a box with a pair of normal European outlets that plugs into the four prong US 240 volt outlet. Then I can play with some European models.

Photos when you can post them, please.

 

[centralsweeper63]

You took something and made it yours. Good job.

 

[cheesewonton]

Photos when you can post them, please.

It will be a while. I have to finish this garage we are building before I can unbox everything. Consider this project has been going for six years and I still need to finish the interior.

 

[centralsweeper63]

It will be done eventually. Are you putting in a central vac?

 

[cheesewonton]

It will be done eventually. Are you putting in a central vac?

No. I am currently hung up on the fire sprinklers. They didn't meet the minimum flow requirements. We had to run a larger diameter water line to the garage. Now we are waiting for the contractor to connect the sprinklers to the new water line and test them again so we can get the permit signed off. After that it needs insulation, dry wall and lighting. Getting there but way slower than expected. The permit was submitted way back in 2021.

 

[centralsweeper63]

Oh, best of luck. I would suggest putting in the pipes though, good for future proofing.