Aerus/Electrolux USA 90th?
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caligula
Well-known member
Hi Kevin.
By my calculations, Electrolux is much older.
While the model V (pictured here) was introduced to American housewives in 1924, Electro-Lux goes back to 1919, and according to Charles Richard Lester, who took my basic research and embellished on it (with my approval) the company goes back to 1910 or thereabout.
The original company was a gas/ lighting firm in Stockholm, Sweden, and industrialist, Axle L. Wenner-Gren, saw an American made vacuum cleaner (probably the Hoover O) in a store window in Vienna while on vacation there. He designed a tank/canister machine and went to the Lux company to build it. The machine he designed was sold world wide with factories all over Europe, and eventually exported to America. The first all American made Electrolux was the model XXX, but Wenner-Gren's vacuum cleaner is at least 95 years old.
For the complete story go to Charles Richard's site, it's awesome!
Alex Taber.
By my calculations, Electrolux is much older.
While the model V (pictured here) was introduced to American housewives in 1924, Electro-Lux goes back to 1919, and according to Charles Richard Lester, who took my basic research and embellished on it (with my approval) the company goes back to 1910 or thereabout.
The original company was a gas/ lighting firm in Stockholm, Sweden, and industrialist, Axle L. Wenner-Gren, saw an American made vacuum cleaner (probably the Hoover O) in a store window in Vienna while on vacation there. He designed a tank/canister machine and went to the Lux company to build it. The machine he designed was sold world wide with factories all over Europe, and eventually exported to America. The first all American made Electrolux was the model XXX, but Wenner-Gren's vacuum cleaner is at least 95 years old.
For the complete story go to Charles Richard's site, it's awesome!
Alex Taber.
If they really!
Want to do something to get attention! Put out a limited production original 30,60, or G, If they could make it then, surely they could build one now exactly like the original...NO PLASTIC, NO VINYL HOSE, EXACTLY like the original, they would sell and get attention!
Want to do something to get attention! Put out a limited production original 30,60, or G, If they could make it then, surely they could build one now exactly like the original...NO PLASTIC, NO VINYL HOSE, EXACTLY like the original, they would sell and get attention!
Alex Taber and kenkart - thanks for responding. I didn't realize that the origins of Electrolux when back to 1910 and will check out Charles' website sometime. Great idea about Aerus manufacturing a 21st Century version of the Model XXX to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the cleaner and air purifier. Perhaps someone should contact Aerus with that suggestion.
I wonder if there was any type of 25th anniversary decal in 1949? I hope it wasn't just a Model XXX with rubber motor mounts called the 25th Anniversary Edition!
Here are the two faces of the coin marking the 15th anniversary of the factory in Old Greenwich (1948):
I wonder if there was any type of 25th anniversary decal in 1949? I hope it wasn't just a Model XXX with rubber motor mounts called the 25th Anniversary Edition!
Here are the two faces of the coin marking the 15th anniversary of the factory in Old Greenwich (1948):
collector2
Well-known member
The actual Electrolux Co started in Sweden in 1918 when Axle Verner Grenn bought and merged two companies (AB Lux and Electrohelios if I remember correctly) one of which had been making his Lux machine before that.
Electrolux USA was started in 1924 and Electrolux Canada started in 1932.
Electrolux USA was started in 1924 and Electrolux Canada started in 1932.
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Collector2.
When I did my research I found it to be 1919, but Charles Richard Lester corrected me, saying it was many years earlier, now you say 1918. I'm confused. However, it was Wenner-Gren, that much I do know.
When I did my research I found it to be 1919, but Charles Richard Lester corrected me, saying it was many years earlier, now you say 1918. I'm confused. However, it was Wenner-Gren, that much I do know.
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Collector2.
This is the first page of the Electrolux history I wrote in 1979 and revised slightly in 82, then in 2005, I planed to publish this in the V.C.C.C. newsletter, but that never happened. I've decided to run it by you to see how accurate it is. I welcome corrections, but it will provide you and all Electrolux collectors out there with the data I put together. Please understand that there might be a few minor typos.
Alex Taber
This is the first page of the Electrolux history I wrote in 1979 and revised slightly in 82, then in 2005, I planed to publish this in the V.C.C.C. newsletter, but that never happened. I've decided to run it by you to see how accurate it is. I welcome corrections, but it will provide you and all Electrolux collectors out there with the data I put together. Please understand that there might be a few minor typos.
Alex Taber
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Collector2.
Page 2.
Page 2.
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Collector2.
Page 3.
Page 3.
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Collector2.
Page 4.
Page 4.
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Collector2.
Before I print page 5 let me say that I have the patent information of the designs mentioned in this text and will post them at a later time.
Before I print page 5 let me say that I have the patent information of the designs mentioned in this text and will post them at a later time.
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Collector2.
Page 6.
Page 6.
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Collector2.
Page 7.
Page 7.
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Collector2.
Page 8.
Page 8.
collector2
Well-known member
Hey Alex:
Here is the information from the company website. Electrolux did not come into being till 1919 (I was a year out) Before that the machines were called AB LUX and they were first produced in 1912.
http://group.electrolux.com/en/history-1910-1919-729/
Here is the information from the company website. Electrolux did not come into being till 1919 (I was a year out) Before that the machines were called AB LUX and they were first produced in 1912.
http://group.electrolux.com/en/history-1910-1919-729/
collector2
Well-known member
Hey Alex
Very interesting article. I enjoyed reading it.
Just a bit of Canadian Trivia to throw in - They started Electrolux Canada in 1932, bringing in model XII's from Sweden. The sales went so well that they opened a factory in Montreal in 1934 to produce the model XII.
Doug
Very interesting article. I enjoyed reading it.
Just a bit of Canadian Trivia to throw in - They started Electrolux Canada in 1932, bringing in model XII's from Sweden. The sales went so well that they opened a factory in Montreal in 1934 to produce the model XII.
Doug
dysonman1
Well-known member
The vacuum cleaner that started Axel's desire to make and sell one, was the Santo. That's why the first Lux cleaner was basically a copy of a Santo.
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Collector2.
Thanks, that clears up a lot of questions for me.
My book 'Electrolux the first 40 years' starts with the model V, so I had basically no background on the parent company and only knew that Wenner-Gren invented a machine circa 1919. As I said, I first wrote this in 1979 as background notes to go with the collection of patents I'd copied from the research department of the Chicago public library. To check my facts I contacted Charles McKee the President of Electrolux asking for information. He sent me a letter telling me that Electrolux didn't know their history. He went on to say that he held a board meeting to address my questions, but the top brass didn't have a clue. I have that letter and will post it today or tomorrow. Then in the summer of 82, I acquired the bulk of my data, and revised my notes. Again, this was for my own use as notes for my patent book. Then weeks later John Lucia and I went to the Hoover historical Center, and I got involved with launching the V.C.C.C., so Electrolux history was tabled for a while. The next phase of this was the Electrolux issue of the newsletter, which I think was 83 or 84. I'll post that later as well. Over the years we did several newsletters featuring the history of Electrolux, but the granddaddy of them all was the one in the winter of 94/95 where I collaborated with Charles Richard Lester, who I'd just appointed editor/Publisher. I also gave him my patent books to copy, and the book 'Electrolux the first 40 years,' plus permission to use my material.
In May of 95, I retired from the club, passing the baton over to Tom Gasko, and relocated from Naperville, Illinois to San Diego, California. I was away from the club till June of 04, so I had no idea that my friend Charles Richard had started his Cyber Vcauum Cleaner museum, which helped put the V.C.C.C. on the map. And while I was missing in action, Charles worked wonders with the tidbits of information I gave him. Not only did he research my facts and embellish them, but did far more, he discovered facts that I'd missed, and created a fantastic, and highly informative history. So there you have it, this is but the tip of the iceberg, and as I said, I welcome corrections.
Alex Taber.
Thanks, that clears up a lot of questions for me.
My book 'Electrolux the first 40 years' starts with the model V, so I had basically no background on the parent company and only knew that Wenner-Gren invented a machine circa 1919. As I said, I first wrote this in 1979 as background notes to go with the collection of patents I'd copied from the research department of the Chicago public library. To check my facts I contacted Charles McKee the President of Electrolux asking for information. He sent me a letter telling me that Electrolux didn't know their history. He went on to say that he held a board meeting to address my questions, but the top brass didn't have a clue. I have that letter and will post it today or tomorrow. Then in the summer of 82, I acquired the bulk of my data, and revised my notes. Again, this was for my own use as notes for my patent book. Then weeks later John Lucia and I went to the Hoover historical Center, and I got involved with launching the V.C.C.C., so Electrolux history was tabled for a while. The next phase of this was the Electrolux issue of the newsletter, which I think was 83 or 84. I'll post that later as well. Over the years we did several newsletters featuring the history of Electrolux, but the granddaddy of them all was the one in the winter of 94/95 where I collaborated with Charles Richard Lester, who I'd just appointed editor/Publisher. I also gave him my patent books to copy, and the book 'Electrolux the first 40 years,' plus permission to use my material.
In May of 95, I retired from the club, passing the baton over to Tom Gasko, and relocated from Naperville, Illinois to San Diego, California. I was away from the club till June of 04, so I had no idea that my friend Charles Richard had started his Cyber Vcauum Cleaner museum, which helped put the V.C.C.C. on the map. And while I was missing in action, Charles worked wonders with the tidbits of information I gave him. Not only did he research my facts and embellish them, but did far more, he discovered facts that I'd missed, and created a fantastic, and highly informative history. So there you have it, this is but the tip of the iceberg, and as I said, I welcome corrections.
Alex Taber.
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Tom.
Thanks, for that information, I assumed it was an upright and most likely the Hoover model O! Have you pictures? I used to have a book called the 'History of Housekeeping' circa 1994 that had a picture of the Santo/Duntley, is that what you mean?
Over the past year I've sent this Electrolux history to a few club members, but decided to run it by Collector2. I'm saving the history of Kirby till after the convention in June.
As always,
Bob Alex Taber.
Thanks, for that information, I assumed it was an upright and most likely the Hoover model O! Have you pictures? I used to have a book called the 'History of Housekeeping' circa 1994 that had a picture of the Santo/Duntley, is that what you mean?
Over the past year I've sent this Electrolux history to a few club members, but decided to run it by Collector2. I'm saving the history of Kirby till after the convention in June.
As always,
Bob Alex Taber.
For those who didnt know..
The above articles are the kind of things we used to get in out newsletter, I hope everyone realizes just how rare articles of this type are, and those pictures of the Electrolux experimental vacuums were in our newsletter from 1994 I believe, i have all of them here , every once in a while I go look at them and remember just how hard our club founders and leaders worked , I think in this electronic age these things are forgotten easily,I only wish we could have had video coverage of our early conventions,we really did enjoy ourselves.
The above articles are the kind of things we used to get in out newsletter, I hope everyone realizes just how rare articles of this type are, and those pictures of the Electrolux experimental vacuums were in our newsletter from 1994 I believe, i have all of them here , every once in a while I go look at them and remember just how hard our club founders and leaders worked , I think in this electronic age these things are forgotten easily,I only wish we could have had video coverage of our early conventions,we really did enjoy ourselves.
williamr1248
Well-known member
Aerus/Electrolux USA 90th
John,
Thanks for your story of the early days.
It is difficult for people today to even imagine what a revelation the Electrolux was when it was first introduced.
The story I heard from my great aunt was that she was going to have some church ladies over for a meeting. The stove pipe broke and soot went everywhere. My great, great grandmother was aware of the Electrolux. Now I am not sure how it all came about but she bought or loaned my great aunt the money to buy an Electrolux Cleaner and Air Purifier. It started the switch and soon almost all the family had ditched the old dirty upright Hoover's and Kenmore's for the modern Electrolux way of cleaning. They were all Electrolux users for many generations. They were very popular in rural areas and when one bought a new model, soon others followed, all buying from their same friendly Electrolux man. In many ways, it was a much more trusting and gentler time.
John,
Thanks for your story of the early days.
It is difficult for people today to even imagine what a revelation the Electrolux was when it was first introduced.
The story I heard from my great aunt was that she was going to have some church ladies over for a meeting. The stove pipe broke and soot went everywhere. My great, great grandmother was aware of the Electrolux. Now I am not sure how it all came about but she bought or loaned my great aunt the money to buy an Electrolux Cleaner and Air Purifier. It started the switch and soon almost all the family had ditched the old dirty upright Hoover's and Kenmore's for the modern Electrolux way of cleaning. They were all Electrolux users for many generations. They were very popular in rural areas and when one bought a new model, soon others followed, all buying from their same friendly Electrolux man. In many ways, it was a much more trusting and gentler time.
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Kenkart.
Thanks for the kind words, and yes, the newsletters were a lot of fun.
But allow me to make one minor correction. What we had were 'meetings' the club was too small in membership to hold conventions. By the time you joined in 95, the club was just getting noticed, but for both the Hoover meeting in 94, and the one in Allentown in 95, we had about twenty members. And while you were not with us in the early 90's, up to that trip to Hoover, all festivities were in my home, which gave it a very personal feeling. I must say I miss those days, and having houseguests like our dear Craig Long, who left this earth far too soon.Thanks again for sharing.
I'm glad you were and still are a part of my life, as always,
Alex Taber.
Thanks for the kind words, and yes, the newsletters were a lot of fun.
But allow me to make one minor correction. What we had were 'meetings' the club was too small in membership to hold conventions. By the time you joined in 95, the club was just getting noticed, but for both the Hoover meeting in 94, and the one in Allentown in 95, we had about twenty members. And while you were not with us in the early 90's, up to that trip to Hoover, all festivities were in my home, which gave it a very personal feeling. I must say I miss those days, and having houseguests like our dear Craig Long, who left this earth far too soon.Thanks again for sharing.
I'm glad you were and still are a part of my life, as always,
Alex Taber.
Craig Long..
I feel sorry for those who never got to meet him, he had a photographic memory, and he knew when what and why of every vacuum, Alex, I joined in 94 , 2 weeks before that years meeting, Allentown in 95 was the first one i attended,didnt we all have fun, relaxed,friendly, without any drama, it was great.
I feel sorry for those who never got to meet him, he had a photographic memory, and he knew when what and why of every vacuum, Alex, I joined in 94 , 2 weeks before that years meeting, Allentown in 95 was the first one i attended,didnt we all have fun, relaxed,friendly, without any drama, it was great.
