David Oreck

[vinvac]

David Oreck has passed away at age 99. Many folks here don’t like the Oreck Vacuum but I have to say that David truly believed in his product.

He stood behind the product and knew how to market it. I have to say I have a model XL21 and I believe it cleans very well. It is easy to use. I have the Buster B that went with that model and find it to be a great little vacuum as well.

However you feel, the man was a legend in the vacuum world and sold millions of his machines.

 

[panasonicvac]

I agree, he was a genius. Not only through marketing but also his products as well. I once had a love-hate relationship with Oreck where at first I loved their vacuums, then I didn't like them as much as I used to, but now I can say that I love them again. I think their XL21 is a good vacuum, I have two of those along with a Platinum model. I also think their classic vacuums are not bad machines for what they are. Sure they're screamers and not the super best at deep cleaning but I like them for what they are because they're simple to use, easy to fix or maintain, and assembled here in the US. And I think their dual motor 14T and 18T commercial uprights that they had licensed from another company was not only their best Orecks in my opinion but also one of the best vacuums ever sold through my experience, I wished they still sold those machines.

 

[blackheart]

oh wow.

Not many live to the age of 99 we should all be so lucky.
While some of their vacuums were certainly divisive in the collector community the original style 4 amp machine was respectable, decent performance in a very simple and light package.
We later had more powerful machines like the 21 (and all of it's offshoots), and the magnesium both of which are pretty good machines.

Clearly his real strength was marketing. Who hasn't seen one of the ads for their 8 lb xl. I remember hearing about these risk free trials and really wanted my parents to take the "Oreck challenge" cause the machine looked so amazing on tv.

 

[wstonehockertv]

David Oreck, a true legend. I'm glad he made it to 99. He almost reminds of Billy Mays in a way.

At least we still have James Dyson, even though Dysons are very overrated and overpriced machines that don't deep clean well.

 

[panasonicvac]

Personally, I'd take an Oreck over a Dyson. Even though I think James is also a genius in terms of marketing and coming up with a no loss of suction technology, Orecks are more about function. That's why I like them better. This is probably my favorite comparison video on YouTube between a Oreck and a Dyson.

 

[lesinutah]

Im

No oreck lover by any means. I think he built a pretty good empire for for his namesake. I'd dare say the bowling ball commercial is the most famous vacuum commercial.

 

[huskyvacs]

Wow, sad to hear this. Truthfully I was actually surprised he is (was) still alive. He was so old even in the 90's and 00's.

 

[human]

Yeah, I had no idea he was still living. He had a good run for sure.

I bought an OreckXL upright at a thrift shop a few years ago for $2 and fixed it up, but I was never all that impressed with it. I also have a couple of Oreck BB's in my collection and they're great for vacuuming out the car and other small tasks. I should run one of them in his honor this afternoon.

 

[eurekaprince]

May he rest in peace.

I still would like to know if he invented the Oreck-style lightweight vacuum, or if he bought the rights to the design from the German company McDonald Electric. It would be interesting to actually figure out who was first to come up with the idea: single small sideways motor that blows the dirt up a hollow handle and into a large front-mounted bag.

 

[kirbyg6]

Even though I haven’t been into Orecks I think they are cool

 

[justjunque]

RIP, Mr. Oreck.
We have a model XL2310RS, and a couple of Buster Bs. I think one came with our vacuum, and one belonged to an uncle who didn't want it any more. One is black, one is white.
The upright was our only vacuum when we got it, and it served us well for our needs.
I hardly ever use it now, because our current house has mostly hardwood floors.
By the way; the upright has a date code of 04068. Can anyone tell me what that translates to?
Thanks!

Barry

 

[panasonicvac]

Your Oreck was made in 2004.

Bryan, from my understanding Oreck originally got the design from Whirlpool.

 

[eurekaprince]

Thanks for that panasonicvac! . Makes sense since Oreck came from RCA, and for a period of time in the 1950’s, Whirlpool was part of RCA (RCA Whirlpool).

Now the question is: which company came up with the concept first? Whirlpool or McDonald Electric?

 

[gottahaveahoove]

99 IS awsome!

I'm sorry about his passing.  Yes, marketing WAS his 'thing'. I've had to run a few..not my favorite. But, hey........


  Imagine him chatting now with "Boss" Hoover !!!!!!!!

 

[dysonman1]

RCA Whirlpool designed the 8 pound machine for Sears (1963). Oreck was a salesman for RCA Whirlpool. The machine did not sell well for Sears, so they discontinued it. Oreck sold janitorial supply houses on the machine, but even then it didn't sell well enough for Whirlpool. Oreck went to McDonald Electric for the CVR 4000 (which broke easily), then he opened his own factory to make his copy which was "The Oreck".

 

[kloveland]

I know other collectors say that David Oreck took or stole the lightweight upright design from Whirlpool. Other vacuum companies have done the same thing or similar, right? Didn't Tacony take their original upright design from Panasonic? I think even Dyson did something similar.

I was bummed to hear this because the 17th was my birthday. I looked up David Oreck and found out he served in WII. Which is more than I can say for most people. David did have a good product. I have a few Orecks in my collection and my grandmother, mother and sister both have one as well.

 

[eurekaprince]

No matter who came up with concept first, it really is a great step in the development of carpet cleaning upright cleaners!

I wish Miele would come up with an Oreck clone….adding their expertise in sound suppression and excellent filtration. Maybe even two motors so the brush roll could be shut off for bare floors. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but this would make a great companion vac to their suction-only canisters!

I really think these simple Oreck lightweight uprights are a great alternative to the heavier, bulkier, more complicated uprights on the market.

 

[oldcrankman]

Dont be sad hes gone.

Be happy that it happened.

 

[panasonicvac]

Bryan, Sebo already came out with a lightweight bagged upright. Both in corded and cordless. I think that's as close as you're going to get for your wish because Sebo does have the same German companies who makes some parts for Miele such as cords, motors, accessories, etc. So they're kind of like sister brands almost. But unlike Sebo, Miele likes to make how their vacuums look and what consumers would want to have out of a vacuum. Whether it's bagless, cordless, robotic, etc. Sebo is more about function similar to Oreck. I don't think Miele will ever make a bagged lightweight direct air upright. Even if they did, I think it'd never be a success similar to their Art models. Because unfortunately they're an outdated design in my opinion. They lack having attachments on-board, they're not sealed systems, the brushroll doesn't shut off, etc. I know these are the complaints I hear whenever I'd read reviews online about Orecks or other machines that are similar to them, myself included. You can have a Miele canister with one yes. But I do know they can take up more closet space, most consumers would grow tired of switching over to a canister, there's more maintenance required, etc. Personally, I'd rather use something a few more pounds heavier like a Sebo Felix if I wanted a lighter weight upright. Or at least I'd spend a little extra to get a Miele canister with a powerhead that will definitely clean better on carpets.