It started with a small plastic toy vacuum I got when I was 3 years old. Since then I was fascinated with the machines. My first real vacuum was the original dirt devil 90s upright vacuum which is quite rare now and sadly I don’t have anymore. The first old vacuum I got was a 1958 Kirby. The vacuum ive had the longest currently is my 1972 Kirby CR-1. Every since I found a 1926 Hoover upright in a trash pile and saved it I’ve been looking for older and rarer vacuums since. My rarest vacuum in my collection so far is a 1930s Singer R4D (got that one out of a dumpster too).
What are your dream machines yet to be found?
My pipe dream would be to have a Hoover model O, nothing is impossible but that’s pretty close to it. More realistically I’d like to find a 40s Hoover Junior, more 30s and 40s singer uprights, and hopefully one day a late 30s Kirby.
What are your earliest and favorite vacuum memories?
I remember when I was about 4 I was so fascinated with the retractable cord on our home vacuum. We also had a central vacuum which I was always thrilled to empty.
What is the history of vacuum you have owned?
When I was much younger I was given vacuums by many people who thought it was hysterically a little kid who loves the things. I remember I always wanted my aunts Kirby G4, but they used it so I knew it wasn’t gonna happen. When I was around 7 years old my aunt leaned over to me at Christmas dinner and told me if I still wanted it I could take her Kirby.
Have you ever worked on, repaired and/or restored any vacuum cleaners?
I am currently working on the Singer R4D, not really a complete restoration project but just make it look and work better. I am pretty good at taking vacuums that are seized and broken and making them work, but not so good at making them shiny and not blow dust every time you turn them on.
