caligula
Well-known member
And finally,
the last page of, 'Elextrolux at war.'
the last page of, 'Elextrolux at war.'
Electrolux Product History
- Thread starter paul
- Start date
caligula
Well-known member
Electrolux XXX.
Since the caption of picture showing the production staff holding the Model XXX's, reads. "All smiles as post-war consumer production is underway at the Old Greenwich plant." I can only assume that this confirms the fact that the model XX was history.
Again, let me state that I'm no expert on the war years at Electrolux, in fact I wasn't even born till September of 1950, but if I'm correct there were no Electrolux vacuum cleaners made from December 8, 1941, till September 11, 1944.
As always, I welcome information to the contrary.
Alex Taber.
Since the caption of picture showing the production staff holding the Model XXX's, reads. "All smiles as post-war consumer production is underway at the Old Greenwich plant." I can only assume that this confirms the fact that the model XX was history.
Again, let me state that I'm no expert on the war years at Electrolux, in fact I wasn't even born till September of 1950, but if I'm correct there were no Electrolux vacuum cleaners made from December 8, 1941, till September 11, 1944.
As always, I welcome information to the contrary.
Alex Taber.
dysonman1
Well-known member
It takes a great amount of time and effort to design and develop (and patent) a new model. The huge 'start up' cost of the model XX (which used a unique motor) was certainly not recovered when the war started. I have no idea why they chose not to bring it out again after the war. Perhaps because there was little need for an 'economy model' - after all, the money that women had after the war (from their jobs working in factories) was more than enough to buy a $69 Electrolux. As we all know, the model XXX became the 'economy model' in 1952 with the launch of the LX.
Jimmy,
Thanks for the additional information on the polisher/scrubbers. You have me curious about the models. So was there a B-1 through B-6--and were those just the floor polishers that went on the end of the hose of the blower port?
Thanks for the additional information on the polisher/scrubbers. You have me curious about the models. So was there a B-1 through B-6--and were those just the floor polishers that went on the end of the hose of the blower port?
Erik (re: reply #17),
Thanks for the info. Didn't know about the Model 1452--I'm taking for granted that that was the Olympia SE.
Also, from your information, I think I have a Silverado SE. The fact that it had a cord winder through me off, but like I mentioned previously the handle is definitely a SE type. Interestingly, the bag chamber ID simply reads, "1505".
Thanks for the info. Didn't know about the Model 1452--I'm taking for granted that that was the Olympia SE.
Also, from your information, I think I have a Silverado SE. The fact that it had a cord winder through me off, but like I mentioned previously the handle is definitely a SE type. Interestingly, the bag chamber ID simply reads, "1505".
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Tom.
Gustaf E. Lofgren was both the head of engineering, and Vice President of manufacturing at Electrolex, and while I don't know the exact year he was appointed, he was with the company when the factory opened in June of 1933, and was still holding that position in 1964 when the book 'Electrolux Corporation the first forty years' was published. His name also appears on 90% of the patents in my personal book of patents. He had immense pull with the U.S. Patent office, and produced dozens of prototypes for the ejection system. Those prototypes started in 1945, and didn't end till the model LXI was well into production. I fully agree that it's far from easy to patent anything, but his seems to have been a revolving door polocy with the patent office. Between 1944 to 1949 net prophets for Electrolux were in the millions. So obtaining patents were easy. What took the time was going from patent filed to issued, those took on average three years. Once a patent was filed it could go into production as patent pending.
In the case of the model XX, I have no clue, but the copy of the patent I've got reads "Gustaf E. Lofgren- vacuum cleaner. Patent #2,335,428, filed March 12, 1941, (issued) November 30, 1943.
My only interest in this at all is to provide Paul with the best information I can, but the model XX has me stumped.
Alex Taber.
Gustaf E. Lofgren was both the head of engineering, and Vice President of manufacturing at Electrolex, and while I don't know the exact year he was appointed, he was with the company when the factory opened in June of 1933, and was still holding that position in 1964 when the book 'Electrolux Corporation the first forty years' was published. His name also appears on 90% of the patents in my personal book of patents. He had immense pull with the U.S. Patent office, and produced dozens of prototypes for the ejection system. Those prototypes started in 1945, and didn't end till the model LXI was well into production. I fully agree that it's far from easy to patent anything, but his seems to have been a revolving door polocy with the patent office. Between 1944 to 1949 net prophets for Electrolux were in the millions. So obtaining patents were easy. What took the time was going from patent filed to issued, those took on average three years. Once a patent was filed it could go into production as patent pending.
In the case of the model XX, I have no clue, but the copy of the patent I've got reads "Gustaf E. Lofgren- vacuum cleaner. Patent #2,335,428, filed March 12, 1941, (issued) November 30, 1943.
My only interest in this at all is to provide Paul with the best information I can, but the model XX has me stumped.
Alex Taber.
suckolux
Well-known member
I love taking a look at all the history and stories members here have to share
rugsucker
Well-known member
-Electrolux-
Alex,Great wartime history.I have never seen this but do have a similar one for Hoover.
Paul, I only know of the B-3 & B-6 that was a 3 brush polisher.Not sure if there was a 1,2,4 etc.This polisher was seen again in US in the 80s as a Viking from ABLux of Europe with added shampoo tank.The polisher attachment(for suction,not blower)was a common option from late 40s through 50s.
Special-The Special model mentioned by Eric would have exactly same hose & atts as the Automatics but no chrome or auto door and the cordwinder was optional.
Alex,Great wartime history.I have never seen this but do have a similar one for Hoover.
Paul, I only know of the B-3 & B-6 that was a 3 brush polisher.Not sure if there was a 1,2,4 etc.This polisher was seen again in US in the 80s as a Viking from ABLux of Europe with added shampoo tank.The polisher attachment(for suction,not blower)was a common option from late 40s through 50s.
Special-The Special model mentioned by Eric would have exactly same hose & atts as the Automatics but no chrome or auto door and the cordwinder was optional.
dysonman1
Well-known member
@Jimmy M.
The first Special (the one that matched the Olympia) even made the cord "halo" an option. If you didn't buy the cord winder, or the halo, you were to wrap a vinyl strap around the coiled cord and strap it to the handle. The halo became standard on the version that matched the Silverado.
The first Special (the one that matched the Olympia) even made the cord "halo" an option. If you didn't buy the cord winder, or the halo, you were to wrap a vinyl strap around the coiled cord and strap it to the handle. The halo became standard on the version that matched the Silverado.
rugsucker
Well-known member
Special
Yes,first ones did have a strap.Then with the halo on the'new,improved'Special winding the cord was more difficult than with the L as it was closer to the floor.The optional cordwinders on the Special never seemed as good as on the deluxe Automatic even thought the same basic design and parts.
Yes,first ones did have a strap.Then with the halo on the'new,improved'Special winding the cord was more difficult than with the L as it was closer to the floor.The optional cordwinders on the Special never seemed as good as on the deluxe Automatic even thought the same basic design and parts.
williamr1248
Well-known member
Electrolux product history
Tom Gasko you are correct. I am sitting looking at the original paperwork from Electrolux when my grandmother bought her model XX Electrolux.
Model: XX
date of sale: November 24,1941
papwerwork came to her from Electrolux Corporation dated Dec 1,1941
Seriel number: n34144x
price; $49.50 and total $51.98 with fed tax
The machine came with hose that was gray with ORANGE tracers. The floor tool was finished on the top like the paint on the machine. It DID NOT swivel. Also had the regular Electrolux round brush in gray with the regular metal sofa tool. The rug nozzle DID NOT swivel either and was metal with no furniture guard.
We have pictures of my grandfather and me holding the hose and one wand with the fuller brush attached when I was very small. As I remember it was very quiet.
My grandmother was very excited as she had a 1936 Kenmore Deluxe Upright and Kenmore Jr which she said she hated.
It is hard for us to understand what a sensation the Electrolux was when it first came out and was sold door to door. Everyone in my family were farmers and they all wanted or owned the Electrolux.
The same Electrolux man that sold her the machine continued with Electrolux for many many years. Of course now even the branch stores are closed and gone. Electrolux or Aerus is no longer the well known name in my area. My younger relatives would only know the name from the TV ads for washers and not even realize (or care) that they grew up with the Electrolux.
Tom Gasko you are correct. I am sitting looking at the original paperwork from Electrolux when my grandmother bought her model XX Electrolux.
Model: XX
date of sale: November 24,1941
papwerwork came to her from Electrolux Corporation dated Dec 1,1941
Seriel number: n34144x
price; $49.50 and total $51.98 with fed tax
The machine came with hose that was gray with ORANGE tracers. The floor tool was finished on the top like the paint on the machine. It DID NOT swivel. Also had the regular Electrolux round brush in gray with the regular metal sofa tool. The rug nozzle DID NOT swivel either and was metal with no furniture guard.
We have pictures of my grandfather and me holding the hose and one wand with the fuller brush attached when I was very small. As I remember it was very quiet.
My grandmother was very excited as she had a 1936 Kenmore Deluxe Upright and Kenmore Jr which she said she hated.
It is hard for us to understand what a sensation the Electrolux was when it first came out and was sold door to door. Everyone in my family were farmers and they all wanted or owned the Electrolux.
The same Electrolux man that sold her the machine continued with Electrolux for many many years. Of course now even the branch stores are closed and gone. Electrolux or Aerus is no longer the well known name in my area. My younger relatives would only know the name from the TV ads for washers and not even realize (or care) that they grew up with the Electrolux.
electrolux137
Well-known member
I would LOVE to see your photos of you and your grandmother with the Model XX!!
LOVE, I say, LOVVVVVVVVVE!!!
LOVE, I say, LOVVVVVVVVVE!!!
williamr1248
Well-known member
Electrolux Product History
Charlie,
It was my grandfather and of all the crazy things, he would let me take it out in the yard! The wonderful things that happen when you are the first grandchild!!!
You may have forgotten but I sent you a copy of that bill of sale years ago when we were talking about the XX. You were asking me about the color of the tracers in the hose.
No one can seem to come up with the real purpose of the spring latch on the top front of the machine. I have been told it was to wind the cord,tighten the rubber handle or tighten the front cover. The attachments were certainly different from the XXX.
Charlie,
It was my grandfather and of all the crazy things, he would let me take it out in the yard! The wonderful things that happen when you are the first grandchild!!!
You may have forgotten but I sent you a copy of that bill of sale years ago when we were talking about the XX. You were asking me about the color of the tracers in the hose.
No one can seem to come up with the real purpose of the spring latch on the top front of the machine. I have been told it was to wind the cord,tighten the rubber handle or tighten the front cover. The attachments were certainly different from the XXX.
caligula
Well-known member
Hi williamr1248, thanks for clearing that up for me.
According to the info in my Electrolux book, your grandmother got a machine just days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. This means that the XX WAS out there for the general public. The info on the XX has always eluded me. As I've said many times, I'm no expert on this, and only post what I hear or read from other sources, if that information is wrong!
I welcome corrections on anything I post.
Alex Taber.
According to the info in my Electrolux book, your grandmother got a machine just days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. This means that the XX WAS out there for the general public. The info on the XX has always eluded me. As I've said many times, I'm no expert on this, and only post what I hear or read from other sources, if that information is wrong!
I welcome corrections on anything I post.
Alex Taber.
