Eureka Vacuums History
- Thread starter eurekafan
- Start date
Help Support VacuumLand:
Welcome to Vacuumland! I used the search bar for the forum archives to find another thread that will be somewhat helpful to you, because it includes a chart of bag types and a corresponding list. There are many Eureka threads--some including photos and scans of ads, so you'll want to perform your own searches, but this one will get you started. Hopefully another Vacuumlander will be able to provide a model timeline for you.
http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?7453
I personally don't have a lot of knowledge of Eureka vacuum cleaners except that the uprights from at least the '60s and '70s resembled Hoover cleaners in many ways--including a variety of color combinations of the handles, casings, and bags.
Also, here is a company history overview, in case you're interested:
The Eureka Company ("Eureka" is Greek for "I have found (it)!") was begun by Detroit real-estate auctioneer Fred Wardell in 1909. He ran it until his enthusiasm waned in 1939, and he persuaded Henry Burritt to take over. Burritt merged Eureka with Williams Oil-O-Matic Heating Company in 1945 in a strategy to rejuvenate its floundering sales through diversification (oil-burner production was moved to Sweden after seven years). In 1953 Eureka-Williams was purchased by Henney Motor Company of Freeport, IL, and in 1959 it was merged with National Union Electric Corporation. AB Electrolux of Sweden purchased National Union in 1974 and changed the Eureka division name back to The Eureka Company a year or so later. In 1983, in an attempt to cut production costs, Eureka began to move vacuum cleaner production out of Bloomington, opening a plant to make uprights in El Paso, Texas, and in 1984 opening one in Juarez, Mexico. In 1990, Eureka announced that it was moving production of upright cleaners completely to El Paso. The manufacture and assembly of canisters were consequently consolidated at its plant at Normal, Illinois, while headquarters and other manufacturing operations remained at Bloomington. In 2004 the company's name was changed once again to Electrolux Home Care Products North America (later Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.), the factory in El Paso was shuttered, and all manufacturing was moved to Mexico. In December 2016, the Electrolux Group sold the Eureka brand to Midea Group Company, Ltd.
http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?7453
I personally don't have a lot of knowledge of Eureka vacuum cleaners except that the uprights from at least the '60s and '70s resembled Hoover cleaners in many ways--including a variety of color combinations of the handles, casings, and bags.
Also, here is a company history overview, in case you're interested:
The Eureka Company ("Eureka" is Greek for "I have found (it)!") was begun by Detroit real-estate auctioneer Fred Wardell in 1909. He ran it until his enthusiasm waned in 1939, and he persuaded Henry Burritt to take over. Burritt merged Eureka with Williams Oil-O-Matic Heating Company in 1945 in a strategy to rejuvenate its floundering sales through diversification (oil-burner production was moved to Sweden after seven years). In 1953 Eureka-Williams was purchased by Henney Motor Company of Freeport, IL, and in 1959 it was merged with National Union Electric Corporation. AB Electrolux of Sweden purchased National Union in 1974 and changed the Eureka division name back to The Eureka Company a year or so later. In 1983, in an attempt to cut production costs, Eureka began to move vacuum cleaner production out of Bloomington, opening a plant to make uprights in El Paso, Texas, and in 1984 opening one in Juarez, Mexico. In 1990, Eureka announced that it was moving production of upright cleaners completely to El Paso. The manufacture and assembly of canisters were consequently consolidated at its plant at Normal, Illinois, while headquarters and other manufacturing operations remained at Bloomington. In 2004 the company's name was changed once again to Electrolux Home Care Products North America (later Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.), the factory in El Paso was shuttered, and all manufacturing was moved to Mexico. In December 2016, the Electrolux Group sold the Eureka brand to Midea Group Company, Ltd.
Harrison,
Here’s a list I obtained from the Hesco Inc. website http://www.hescoinc.com/schematics_eureka and some others I added. I have no idea how complete it is for the 1950s-1990s range (I didn't copy everything), but at least you can use it as a guide to help you find models you’d like to have.
The list doesn’t include rebadges with private retailer names like Eaton's "Viking," The Bay's "Baycrest" and "Beaumark", JCPenney, Montgomery Ward, Firestone and Western Auto.
Also, this thread, #90 from 2006, includes good information and quite a few photos:
http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?90
Canisters
450A
500 & 700 Series (Prince/Princess)
500, 502, 508, 513, 550, 555, 560, 702, 703, 705, 711, 713, 714, 730, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740,741, 743, 745, 755, 760, 761, 765, 770, 773, 780
800 Series (Roto-Matic)
900 Series (Roto-Matic)
960 (Gold Crown, 50th Jubilee), 965a
1100 Series (Empress)
1200 Series (Roto-Matic Power Team) 1973-
1243, 1244, 1245, 1246, 1248, 1249, 1254, 1255, 1259, 1271
1600 Series
1620, 1625, 1630, 1640, 1650, 1660, 1663, 1680
1700 Series (Power Team)
1730, 1731, 1740, 1743, 1745, 1746, 1750, 1756, 1757, 1758, 1760, 1761, 1763, 1770, 1773, 1777, 1778, 1783, 1784, 1788, 1764, 1774, 1790, 1791
1800 Series (Empress II)
1810, 1820, 1830, 1833, 1840, 1860, 1880
POWER NOZZLES (Old Style)
Ironsides
1739, 1789, 1799
Rally
3837, 3850, 3860, 3865, 3916, 3930, 3974, 3975, 3977, 3987, 3988
Uprights
200 Series
210 (Easy Glide), 260 (50th Jubilee model), 265, 270 (Vanguard)
600 Series
625, 625D, 626
900 Series (Heavy-Duty)
918
1400 Series (Princess)
1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, 1408, 1409, 1410, 1411, 1412, 1413, 1414, 1415, 1416, 1417, 1418, 1419, 1420, 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424, 1425, 1426, 1427, 1428, 1429, 1431, 1432, 1435, 1436, 1437, 1438, 1439,1440, 1441, 1442, 1443, 1444, 1446, 1447, 1448, 1450, 1452, 1453, 1454,1455, 1456, 1457, 1458, 1458A, 1459, 1462, 1463, 1466, 1469, 1470, 1471, 1473,1485, 1486, 1489, 1490, 1495
1500 Series (Emperor)--Panasonic rebadge
1900 Series
1903, 1923, 1925, 1928, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1945,1946, 1947, 1967, 1968
1934AGS
2000 Series
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019,2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2030, 2033, 2035,2036, 2042, 2042D, 2043, 2044, 2045, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050, 2052, 2053, 2055,2058, 2060, 2061, 2062, 2064, 2068, 2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2076, 2077, 2079, 2080, 2080B, 2081, 2082, 2083, 2084, 2085, 2086, 2087, 2088, 2090,2091, 2092, 2093, 2095, 2097
2300 Series (Dial-A-Nap & Rugulator)
2315 (Sport), 2325 (Casual), 2375 (Everyday), 2385 (Chic) Wild Moss bag pattern, moss green color
3200 / 3300 / 3400 / 3500 / 3700 Series
3210, 3220, 3240, 3360, 3320, 3325, 3330,3331, 3335, 3440, 3450, 3460, 3470, 3560, 3710, 3711, 3715, 3720, 3721, 3760
3690AV
3712
5000 Series (Self-Propelled)
5040, 5047, 5060, 5070, 5071, 5077, 5085
5134, 5150, 5175
C Series
C2031, C2032, C2035, C2037, C2045, C2055, C2057, C2063, C2065, C2066, C2094, C2125, C2132A, C2194, C2720, C2740, C2770, C4046
S Series (Sanitaire- Domestic “Blue Line”)
S634
S639, S644, S645, S648, S650, S652, S654, S655, S657, S658, S659, S660, S661, S662, S663
S647A
S670A-1
S677A-1
S678
S782, SC785AT
S785AT-1
SC Series (Sanitaire--Commercial “Red Line”)
SC675, SC679, SC681, SC684, SC688, SC699, SC886, SC887, SC888, SC899
SC689A
SC881A
SC882A, SC883A
SC785AT-1
SC5815A
SC5845A
SC6600, SC6600A (ProTeam)
SC9150, SC9150A, SC9150B, SC9180
Here’s a list I obtained from the Hesco Inc. website http://www.hescoinc.com/schematics_eureka and some others I added. I have no idea how complete it is for the 1950s-1990s range (I didn't copy everything), but at least you can use it as a guide to help you find models you’d like to have.
The list doesn’t include rebadges with private retailer names like Eaton's "Viking," The Bay's "Baycrest" and "Beaumark", JCPenney, Montgomery Ward, Firestone and Western Auto.
Also, this thread, #90 from 2006, includes good information and quite a few photos:
http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?90
Canisters
450A
500 & 700 Series (Prince/Princess)
500, 502, 508, 513, 550, 555, 560, 702, 703, 705, 711, 713, 714, 730, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740,741, 743, 745, 755, 760, 761, 765, 770, 773, 780
800 Series (Roto-Matic)
900 Series (Roto-Matic)
960 (Gold Crown, 50th Jubilee), 965a
1100 Series (Empress)
1200 Series (Roto-Matic Power Team) 1973-
1243, 1244, 1245, 1246, 1248, 1249, 1254, 1255, 1259, 1271
1600 Series
1620, 1625, 1630, 1640, 1650, 1660, 1663, 1680
1700 Series (Power Team)
1730, 1731, 1740, 1743, 1745, 1746, 1750, 1756, 1757, 1758, 1760, 1761, 1763, 1770, 1773, 1777, 1778, 1783, 1784, 1788, 1764, 1774, 1790, 1791
1800 Series (Empress II)
1810, 1820, 1830, 1833, 1840, 1860, 1880
POWER NOZZLES (Old Style)
Ironsides
1739, 1789, 1799
Rally
3837, 3850, 3860, 3865, 3916, 3930, 3974, 3975, 3977, 3987, 3988
Uprights
200 Series
210 (Easy Glide), 260 (50th Jubilee model), 265, 270 (Vanguard)
600 Series
625, 625D, 626
900 Series (Heavy-Duty)
918
1400 Series (Princess)
1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, 1408, 1409, 1410, 1411, 1412, 1413, 1414, 1415, 1416, 1417, 1418, 1419, 1420, 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424, 1425, 1426, 1427, 1428, 1429, 1431, 1432, 1435, 1436, 1437, 1438, 1439,1440, 1441, 1442, 1443, 1444, 1446, 1447, 1448, 1450, 1452, 1453, 1454,1455, 1456, 1457, 1458, 1458A, 1459, 1462, 1463, 1466, 1469, 1470, 1471, 1473,1485, 1486, 1489, 1490, 1495
1500 Series (Emperor)--Panasonic rebadge
1900 Series
1903, 1923, 1925, 1928, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1945,1946, 1947, 1967, 1968
1934AGS
2000 Series
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019,2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2030, 2033, 2035,2036, 2042, 2042D, 2043, 2044, 2045, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050, 2052, 2053, 2055,2058, 2060, 2061, 2062, 2064, 2068, 2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2076, 2077, 2079, 2080, 2080B, 2081, 2082, 2083, 2084, 2085, 2086, 2087, 2088, 2090,2091, 2092, 2093, 2095, 2097
2300 Series (Dial-A-Nap & Rugulator)
2315 (Sport), 2325 (Casual), 2375 (Everyday), 2385 (Chic) Wild Moss bag pattern, moss green color
3200 / 3300 / 3400 / 3500 / 3700 Series
3210, 3220, 3240, 3360, 3320, 3325, 3330,3331, 3335, 3440, 3450, 3460, 3470, 3560, 3710, 3711, 3715, 3720, 3721, 3760
3690AV
3712
5000 Series (Self-Propelled)
5040, 5047, 5060, 5070, 5071, 5077, 5085
5134, 5150, 5175
C Series
C2031, C2032, C2035, C2037, C2045, C2055, C2057, C2063, C2065, C2066, C2094, C2125, C2132A, C2194, C2720, C2740, C2770, C4046
S Series (Sanitaire- Domestic “Blue Line”)
S634
S639, S644, S645, S648, S650, S652, S654, S655, S657, S658, S659, S660, S661, S662, S663
S647A
S670A-1
S677A-1
S678
S782, SC785AT
S785AT-1
SC Series (Sanitaire--Commercial “Red Line”)
SC675, SC679, SC681, SC684, SC688, SC699, SC886, SC887, SC888, SC899
SC689A
SC881A
SC882A, SC883A
SC785AT-1
SC5815A
SC5845A
SC6600, SC6600A (ProTeam)
SC9150, SC9150A, SC9150B, SC9180
You're welcome!
You may also be interested in Eureka floor polishers. Two models I found referenced online were the Model 10 and the Model 20.
I don't know if Eureka made carpet shampooers prior to the 1980s with the Eureka branding. There were some produced in the Sanitaire line (Sanitaire Heavy Duty Blue vacuum cleaners were first offered to consumers in the 1950s. Then, in 1972, Eureka launched the Sanitaire products for commercial users).
You may also be interested in Eureka floor polishers. Two models I found referenced online were the Model 10 and the Model 20.
I don't know if Eureka made carpet shampooers prior to the 1980s with the Eureka branding. There were some produced in the Sanitaire line (Sanitaire Heavy Duty Blue vacuum cleaners were first offered to consumers in the 1950s. Then, in 1972, Eureka launched the Sanitaire products for commercial users).
eurekaprince
Well-known member
Hi Harrison,
You can get a nice record of the history and development of the Eureka Company by looking at some of the advertisements they put out over the years. I'll try to post a bunch of them for you over the next few months...hopefully in chronological order so you can see how the product line evolved over the years.
Click on the button that says "View Full Size" so you can read the content of the advertisement.
Here is a print advertisement from 1946, just after World War II ended:
You can get a nice record of the history and development of the Eureka Company by looking at some of the advertisements they put out over the years. I'll try to post a bunch of them for you over the next few months...hopefully in chronological order so you can see how the product line evolved over the years.
Click on the button that says "View Full Size" so you can read the content of the advertisement.
Here is a print advertisement from 1946, just after World War II ended:
TheSpiritOf76
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 15, 2016
- Messages
- 293
EurekaFan...
Let me post some paperwork that might just flip your switch! I am pretty much the resident Eureka lover here. Enjoy!
Jae
The Eureka Empress!
Let me post some paperwork that might just flip your switch! I am pretty much the resident Eureka lover here. Enjoy!
Jae
The Eureka Empress!
pr-21
Well-known member
Thank you for posting these photos. Eureka at its very best. Brings back memories.
I have the 2070 in Blue and my aunt wanted a new vacuum when she built her new home and she had seen my vacuum and I took her to the vacuum store and she purchased the
2071D, which was just like mine only in the cream color.
Sincerely,
PR-21
Bud
I have the 2070 in Blue and my aunt wanted a new vacuum when she built her new home and she had seen my vacuum and I took her to the vacuum store and she purchased the
2071D, which was just like mine only in the cream color.
Sincerely,
PR-21
Bud
eurekaprince
Well-known member
wow...thank you for those gorgeous Eureka beauty shotssssssss
...*faints*...bang....
EurekaPrince
...*faints*...bang....
EurekaPrince
TheSpiritOf76
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 15, 2016
- Messages
- 293
Certianly EurekaFan....
I would be more than happy to share..
I would be more than happy to share..
TheSpiritOf76
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 15, 2016
- Messages
- 293
as far as I have leardned with Eureka.....
With the letters, they indicate a change. like for example the model 2042. The first model 2042 A as released as part of the 1972 line, in Wild Moss green and Antique white, when the model was reissued in 1975 as a part of the new machines with the new Lexan plastic bases, they changed the colors and it became a 2042 B. That is all that is, the change could be one, or many specs of a machine.
With the letters, they indicate a change. like for example the model 2042. The first model 2042 A as released as part of the 1972 line, in Wild Moss green and Antique white, when the model was reissued in 1975 as a part of the new machines with the new Lexan plastic bases, they changed the colors and it became a 2042 B. That is all that is, the change could be one, or many specs of a machine.
eurekaprince
Well-known member
It's interesting. Sometimes Eureka changed the suffix letter to indicate a minor change (like colour), but other times they actually notched up the number itself. In 1974, I remember giving my dad one of the colour line-up inserts (posted above) from the Home Furnishings Daily Chicago Housewares Show special edition. It shows the great upright lineup that topped Consumer Reports tests in 1973 - Models 2042, 2082, 2072, etc. I wanted Dad to buy the deluxe Cordaway Rugulator 2082. When he brought it home a few weeks later, it was a 2083: the difference? a little indentation on each side of the metal base plate which were called Edge Kleeners. Eureka even added little decals on each side of the gold base to advertise the enhancement.
Another interesting thing about model numbers in the 1960's. As Eureka approached 1960, its two main vacs had Model Number 260 (Automatic Upright) and 960 (Rotomatic Canister). Then as they approached 1970, the Vanguard upright had model number 2070.
Eureka. The very best in vacuum cleaners.
Those were the days, my friend. :-(
Another interesting thing about model numbers in the 1960's. As Eureka approached 1960, its two main vacs had Model Number 260 (Automatic Upright) and 960 (Rotomatic Canister). Then as they approached 1970, the Vanguard upright had model number 2070.
Eureka. The very best in vacuum cleaners.
Those were the days, my friend. :-(
Eureka not the one in AR!
Anyone seen the passion play?
Hmm! I do know where I can get Eureka 1489 from reply #11 pic #11. I may go get it tomorrow. Even though I’m not a die-hard Eureka person I do have/like the Vanguard, and model 1265 from pic # 15 reply #7 and one similar to model 1428 reply #11, 14. I just sold model 2215 to a fellow collector on here and I know he will happy with it!
Thanks for posting Jae. Not many people take the time or have the knowledge to post advertisements like this and I find them fascinating.
Anyone seen the passion play?
Hmm! I do know where I can get Eureka 1489 from reply #11 pic #11. I may go get it tomorrow. Even though I’m not a die-hard Eureka person I do have/like the Vanguard, and model 1265 from pic # 15 reply #7 and one similar to model 1428 reply #11, 14. I just sold model 2215 to a fellow collector on here and I know he will happy with it!
Thanks for posting Jae. Not many people take the time or have the knowledge to post advertisements like this and I find them fascinating.
TheSpiritOf76
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 15, 2016
- Messages
- 293
EurekaFan...
I decide to take some good pictures of the best of the best, the pride and joy of the Vacuum Gallery here at Jae Place! So, for your viewing pleasure, the VERY BEST of my Eureka uprights!
From left to right,
1.Model 250A '55
2.Model 260 '59 Gold and Green 50th anniversary edition.
3.Model 265A '67 The Cordaway
4.Model 2081B '72 The Vanguard
5.Model 2070D '72
6.Model 2083A '74 Golden Powertouch
7.Model 2042A '73
8.Model 2385A '76 Wild Moss Continental "Chic"
9.Model 2325A '76 Wild Moss Continental "Casual"
10.Model 2093A '78 Brandywine Cordaway
11.Model 4036A '80 Widetrack
12.Model 2091A '82
I decide to take some good pictures of the best of the best, the pride and joy of the Vacuum Gallery here at Jae Place! So, for your viewing pleasure, the VERY BEST of my Eureka uprights!
From left to right,
1.Model 250A '55
2.Model 260 '59 Gold and Green 50th anniversary edition.
3.Model 265A '67 The Cordaway
4.Model 2081B '72 The Vanguard
5.Model 2070D '72
6.Model 2083A '74 Golden Powertouch
7.Model 2042A '73
8.Model 2385A '76 Wild Moss Continental "Chic"
9.Model 2325A '76 Wild Moss Continental "Casual"
10.Model 2093A '78 Brandywine Cordaway
11.Model 4036A '80 Widetrack
12.Model 2091A '82
eurekaprince
Well-known member
Amazing Eureka upright collection, Jae! Very jealous!!!!
Looking at the Automatics 250 and 260, I could see now how easily these Eurekas would have scared me half to death as a child. The headlights and the whole look of the motor heads make them look like some terrifying mechanical monsters - especially when the headlights are turned on! Yikes!!!!! The later Vanguards and round Continentals look less menacing!
It's no wonder many of us vac fans were terrified of these machines as toddlers... :-(
Looking at the Automatics 250 and 260, I could see now how easily these Eurekas would have scared me half to death as a child. The headlights and the whole look of the motor heads make them look like some terrifying mechanical monsters - especially when the headlights are turned on! Yikes!!!!! The later Vanguards and round Continentals look less menacing!
It's no wonder many of us vac fans were terrified of these machines as toddlers... :-(
