Electrolux Model XXX Questions

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

You have indicated interest in the combination rug/floor tool introduced with the model E. Again, there is some confusion here. Both Electrolux and General Electric used the same basic style. The confusion is which came out first. While G.E. simply had the user flip the tool over, Electrolux required the user to remove the swivel connector first. Here are four patents Electrolux got in the 1960's. 

 

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

2 of 4.

 

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

3 of 4.

 

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

4 of 4.

 

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

When it comes to the power polisher attachment that was introduced with the 1947/48 version of the model XXX shown here, the undisputed expert is my friend Charles Richard Lester. He loves that tool almost as much as I love the model LX, and I mean in it's purest form with the yellow nameplate with "Electrolux" in red lettering! When Charles and I first talked the V.C.C.C. was in a holding pattern due to a lack of inactivity. For years John Lucia and I had begged our handful of members to send us information to use in the newsletter, but that fell on deaf ears. This was the darkest moment, because I thought seriously of letting the club die on the vine. Enter Charles Richard with a questioner on the vacuum cleaner, and my interest was piqued. Both Charles Richard, and John Lucia urged me to keep the club alive, but it was Charles who pumped new blood into it, thus saving it's life! That was way back in the fall of 1992, and in May of 93, the club was thriving.


 


In addition to the power polisher, which is not to be confused with the full sized B-6, (?) used as a polisher/buffer/carpet washer, this was an air powered tool that was sold with the XXX, LX, and LXI. It was changed slightly when the model E was introduced and became the forerunner of the Electrolux Rug Washer introduced a few years later. As for the 'Turbo tools' I will again defer to Charles Richard, as he's the expert in that too. But for now, here are those patents to give you the dates filed and when the patent was granted.


 

 

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

The Turbo tool.

 

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

The 'Rug Washer.'

 

[williamr1248]

Electolux XXX questions

Charlie,
That one rug tool you have unknown marked on your picture looks like the one that came with my family's model XX they bought in 1940.
Neither the rug tool or the floor brush swiveled and the fuller brush top was finished like the machine in the same finish as the machine itself.
No way to clean under the bed or low furniture.
Rob

 

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

Here is one of those mystery tools introduced at the start of the model XXX's long run. Clearly it was designed to be a suction regulator that fit either on the handle of the hose, or the end of the wand (users option). The mystery here is, was it standard issue, or a flash in the pan? The same concept would turn up years later as part of the hose handle, but not only on Electrolux machines but almost every brand, and is still used today. Again, I'll defer to Charles Richard Lester, perhaps he knows the answer. 

 

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

As far as I know the 'Garment Aire Bag' was an Electrolux exclusive. It's shown here and on the next post, and was part of the optional equipment that began with the model XXX, but the exact year is not known. (Help me out here Charles). What I do know is that it was part of the 1948 version, as was the cord winder, Companion and a host of other new products which I'll post patent info on later.


 


 

 

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

More on the Garment bag.

 

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

Now we come to the major mystery question of the Cord Winder. Why is this a mystery? because somewhere in my files is a patent for a 1920's upright Air-Way, and clearly shown is a 'cord reel' laying on the floor. So like with the combination rug/floor tool possibly being a General Electric design, the credit for the Electrolux cord winder might easily go to Air-Way, but I'll leave that one to my friend, Tom Gasko, and the other Air-Way experts out there in Vacuumland.  Another interesting point about Air-Way, they were the first company to introduce the disposable bag. The year for that was 1920.  


 


What I do know is that this was NOT manufactured at the Electrolux factory in Old Greenwich, Connecticut! Being that the factory was located in a residential area, no rubber parts were made there, but were farmed out. The actual cord, and the cords for most vacuum cleaner companies was made by 'Belden,' located in Chicago. As for the cord reel, that was also farmed out and assembled at the 'Vacuum Cleaner Corporation,' Philadelphia, Pa..


 


The Cord Winder is an optional tool that became standard equipment with I think the model G, and continues today, but one shown here was introduced in 1948.

 

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

I'd like to close this history lesson, or at least pause it with the introduction of the 'Companion.' There might be other versions of this at an earlier date, as well as the design used for the models LX, and LXI. Some companions have a place for the crevice tool which Electrolux called 'the narrow space cleaner' while others did not. However, you get the general idea.

 

[kevin]

Thank you so much Alex and electrolux137 for the patent information and pics! Wow, lots of great information. More than i ever expected.

 

[caligula]

Hi Kevin.

You are most welcome!


 


This is the reason John Lucia and I formed the V.C.C.C. way back in 1983. Both of us had untapped knowledge of vacuum cleaners, and wanted to share it with others. The main goal was to help people interested in a given brand find the information they were looking for, like you and Electrolux tools. I'm so glad I could give you a little bit of what you were searching for, and get a bit of history as well.


 


Here's a look at a former Electrolux wall of fame which was part of my display in San Diego, California circa 2006.


 


Alex Taber.

 

[kevin]

Alex,

That is an awesome collection!