Do others collect appliances made when they were born?

[mjhoshaw]

Greetings all, I've found that I have a soft spot for vintage small appliances that were made the year I was born. I haven't gone nuts with this, but it started with a like-new Sunbeam T-20B toaster that was made the day I was born. Sunbeam used to stamp the manufacture date inside, and when this one came up on auction, I grabbed it. It still works perfectly and I both display and use it.

I have Electrolux models E and AE that could've been made in my birth year, as well as a Sunbeam model 11 stand Mixmaster that passes muster. I invite the membership to join in with their responses.

Joel

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Hi Joel

Yes, I have Hoover appliances that were made when I was. I was also given a "Currier and Ives" calendar for the year I was born. It's odd to see the actual day I was born. I'm sentimental or just odd. But, I have the Hoover cleaner that was made the year I was born.

 

[human]

I don't focus specifically on things from the year I was born (1963) but I do gravitate toward appliances and tools that I remember from the era when I was growing up--1960s and '70s. They bring back memories and were definitely better made than today's plasticrap junk. When a product made 40-60 years ago outperforms and outlasts one made today, it's a pretty sad commentary on our times.

When my dad was in the navy in the '50s, he bought a 1934 Rolls Royce in England and brought it home on the deck of ship. It had been delivered to the original owner the day Dad was born.

 

[suckolux]

Interesting thread ! I'm a 1956 as well but I'm like Edgar I just enjoy things that I remember growing up. Nice quality colorful shiny sturdy items

 

[rowdy141]

Oh yes. I definitely seek-out stuff associated with my childhood. I have the same Kenwood Mixed my mum had. The same old dial telephone we used as children. Valve radio, electric fan, vacuum... I guess it's an easy, nostalgic, path to the past?
Christmas lights and baubles evoke fond memories too.

 

[tolivac]

Would like to-but most of these are too old and too short of supply-and the parts to keep these old machines going-my case 1951.Vacuums,Tv's Radios.My Mom said that they bought a Kirby from DTD salesman the year I was born.Was able to see and use the vacuum until 1972-then was lost in a flood.Figure it must of been a Kirby 511?

 

[panasonicvac]

I took my grandparents' Kenmore 90 Series top load washer after they had passed away. Along with the Estate dryer which wasn't made the year I was born at.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

They look to be in

excellent condition.  Y'all take good care of your stuff, it seems.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Those direct drive washers are great - I have one myself from '95. Still going and cleans great. Only replaced the $4 agitator dogs in about 10 minutes a couple years back.
Ladyfriend loves it because it does her delicate clothes without damage (since it uses a usable amount of much-needed WATER).

I collect things that are around my age or older, due to the beauty of them, the coolness factor, the performance and reliability, and most of all, functionality. I like that they are fixable also and they will not go obsolete when the manufacturer wants them to (like cutting them off the internet, sending them 'bricking' commands, plastic deteriorating, etc).

This is a thread worth keeping going!

 

[panasonicvac]

It is a great washer, I love it and it's my all time favorite! One of if not the best top loading washers ever made. There's not a good brand new top loading washer like this anymore except Speed Queen cause they still make excellent top loading washers today.

Actually, this washer was pretty dirty when I got it. This bleach tray is one example of how bad it was. Despite cleaning out all that I could, I'm thinking about having someone rebuild this washer for me.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I bought matching Maytags in '92

minimal repairs.  And. they were made in The U.S.A.!!!!


 

 

[panasonicvac]

You should keep the Maytags for as long as you can. When one of them breaks, find someone like Lorain Furniture and Appliance who can either tune up or rebuild them so they can run for many more years to come.

 

[rowdy141]

Sewing Machines also tend to be kept, with the deliberate intention of handing them down to the next generation.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Alex !!!

Dear God!


 


  Amazing.  How long did that actually take?  What would the cost be?


  That's factory direct again!

 

[panasonicvac]

Probably cheaper than buying a good brand new washer.

 

[mjhoshaw]

Rowdy141

I've been using vintage Christmas light strings for years, including cone-shaped C6 series strings on our two feather trees. I operate them at reduced voltage (66% for C6 and 75% for C7/C9) to greatly extend their livespans. I switched to vintage lamps years ago because I was dismayed at how easily the color scrapes off modern ones, and C6 lamps haven't been made since 1974. Most of my C7 and C9 lamps have inside color. In the past 20-odd years I've accumulated over 500 spare lamps. I replace only about 1 of each size per year, so my stash will way outlive me! Another benefit of running them below rated voltage is that they run MUCH cooler - cool enough that I can hold onto the C6 lamps indefinitely. There's way less fire hazard.


 


The image is of our smaller, 4' feather tree in our front window. Sorry the lamp colors don't render better - they're very vivid and different in person. When I was a kid my family didn't have C6 strings, but I saw them here and there and always liked their look. I think they're perfect on feather trees, even though our strings don't have the metal clips to hold the lamps upright. Trivia: those clips were invented because long ago, it was generally thought that running them in any position other than base down shortened their lifespan. That proved to be false. All our candelabras are vintage C7, 3-lamp types. We use C9s outdoors, including the more scarce C9 flame lamps around our front door. I even have 3 rare canary yellow G10 lamps, with 1 of them in the string around our garage door. Ours is the only house in the area with vintage (or even vintage-style) lighting. It just looks right in/on our 1947 stone house.


 


Oh by the way, we also have vintage blow-molded lighted "candles" on our front stoop to complete the look.


 


Joel

 

[rowdy141]

Hi Joel,

Wow. That's it! You've captured Christmas. Thanks for sharing a picture of your tree. It looks lovely.
That soft, warm, sparkle only these lights have. New pinhead LED lights just don't have the same appeal for me.

You're right about the colour coming off. Many of them just went white over time, or looked white from being a bit too bright. Especially when a blown bulb wasn't replaced.
Well done on getting a stash of 'em.
Don't forget to have one Fuse Bulb in each set. Sometimes electric companies up the voltage over Christmas to cope with demand - although if you're running yours at a controlled voltage, you're probably safeguarded from voltage spikes.

I've got some similar to yours (a 40 set?) which go around our lounge window each year. They're glass shades with a crystalline 'frosting' on the outside. I'll post a picture if I get time.

I think I remember people saying 'filaments last longer when bulbs are upright'. It was more than likely thermal shock, bringing them down from a freezing attic and plugging them in straight-away, causing bulbs to blow.

A few years ago, I threw out the few remaining plastic baubles we had left over from the 1970's, keeping just the glass ones. Apparently glass baubles are making a comeback now.

Merry Christmas,
Alan