Eureka Chron-O-Matic Timeline — 1909-1999
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“Chron-O-Matic” is what you get when you combine ‘Chronology’ and ‘O-Matic’ – a timeline that makes referencing automatic rather than time-consuming. The ‘O-Matic’ word ending was first used by Eureka in 1941 when it introduced the new attachment coupler. Other Eureka monikers ending in ‘-Matic’ were the “Roto-Matic” canisters & power nozzles – launched in 1952 and 1972, respectively; The “Airomatic” tank-type vacuum also launched in 1952; and the new 1970 Air-Matic console on the “Empress II” canister.
“Chron-O-Matic” is what you get when you combine ‘Chronology’ and ‘O-Matic’ – a timeline that makes referencing automatic rather than time-consuming. The ‘O-Matic’ word ending was first used by Eureka in 1941 when it introduced the new attachment coupler. Other Eureka monikers ending in ‘-Matic’ were the “Roto-Matic” canisters & power nozzles – launched in 1952 and 1972, respectively; The “Airomatic” tank-type vacuum also launched in 1952; and the new 1970 Air-Matic console on the “Empress II” canister.
Wow! Very nice!!
A couple small things; the model 10 as far as I know did not have a polishing brushroll. That seems like something that would come along in the 30s or 40s?
And the Special was the budget option to the Standard, reusing a lot of the same castings as the model 9. The motor was the same as the Standard #2, with the caster. Otherwise it is about the same size as the 11.
Would you happen to have a pic of the golden 1 millionth Eureka? I have the pin but did not know they did a full size commemorative vacuum.
A couple small things; the model 10 as far as I know did not have a polishing brushroll. That seems like something that would come along in the 30s or 40s?
And the Special was the budget option to the Standard, reusing a lot of the same castings as the model 9. The motor was the same as the Standard #2, with the caster. Otherwise it is about the same size as the 11.
Would you happen to have a pic of the golden 1 millionth Eureka? I have the pin but did not know they did a full size commemorative vacuum.
eurekaprince
Well-known member
Wow! Thank you for all your hard work doing this time-line! That must have taken days to assemble!!!
Re the Eureka love for “matic”: I think the first use of the term was the heating oil device created by the Williams company. It was called the “Oil-o-Matic”….
Re the Eureka love for “matic”: I think the first use of the term was the heating oil device created by the Williams company. It was called the “Oil-o-Matic”….
eurekaprince
Well-known member
Here is an article about the Williams Oil O Matic company:
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/loc...cle_5b025a3e-94e5-11de-83e0-001cc4c03286.html
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/loc...cle_5b025a3e-94e5-11de-83e0-001cc4c03286.html
Thanks much, Hoover 300 & Brian!
@ Hoover 300 - Thanks for your feedback. Attached is an ad for the new floor polisher attachment for the Model 10 from the December 19, 1924, edition of THE TELEGRAPH HERALD AND TIMES. I was unable to locate a photo of the millionth cleaner from 1925, but also attached newspaper blurbs referencing it and the 1927 two-millionth gem-studded cleaner and a photo of the millionth cleaner lapel stud (for the benefit of others).
Photos:
1. 1927 Dec. 19 TELEGRAPH-HERALD AND TIMES - New Floor Polisher for Eureka Model 10
2. 1924 Sep 1 THE DETROITER - Millionth Eureka ad
3. 1924 Dec ELECTRICAL MERCHANDISING - Millionth Eureka article & Vac School photo
4. Eureka - The Millionth 1925 lapel stud
5. 1927 Nov. 18 THE EVENING NEWS - 2-millionth cleaner blurb
6. 1928 Mar 20 EUGENE REGISTER-GUARD - Eureka 2 Millionth Cleaner blurb
@ Brian - I knew you'd appreciate the timeline! You're welcome for my research; it did take a month of Sundays but was a good winter project.
Thank you for pointing out the likely first use of the 'O-Matic' word part and for the Williams Oil-O-Matic Company history link. I found out from another webpage that the specific year was 1916 when the company was incorporated. I'd always thought that Eureka's use of it was after the merger with Williams.
@ Hoover 300 - Thanks for your feedback. Attached is an ad for the new floor polisher attachment for the Model 10 from the December 19, 1924, edition of THE TELEGRAPH HERALD AND TIMES. I was unable to locate a photo of the millionth cleaner from 1925, but also attached newspaper blurbs referencing it and the 1927 two-millionth gem-studded cleaner and a photo of the millionth cleaner lapel stud (for the benefit of others).
Photos:
1. 1927 Dec. 19 TELEGRAPH-HERALD AND TIMES - New Floor Polisher for Eureka Model 10
2. 1924 Sep 1 THE DETROITER - Millionth Eureka ad
3. 1924 Dec ELECTRICAL MERCHANDISING - Millionth Eureka article & Vac School photo
4. Eureka - The Millionth 1925 lapel stud
5. 1927 Nov. 18 THE EVENING NEWS - 2-millionth cleaner blurb
6. 1928 Mar 20 EUGENE REGISTER-GUARD - Eureka 2 Millionth Cleaner blurb
@ Brian - I knew you'd appreciate the timeline! You're welcome for my research; it did take a month of Sundays but was a good winter project.
Thank you for pointing out the likely first use of the 'O-Matic' word part and for the Williams Oil-O-Matic Company history link. I found out from another webpage that the specific year was 1916 when the company was incorporated. I'd always thought that Eureka's use of it was after the merger with Williams.
Wow!!! I wonder if the gem-studded cleaner still exists!
It appears that Eureka waxer is a clip on pad, doesn't seem like they sold well because I cannot find evidence they sold very well or remaining examples. Hopefully there is one chilling in an old lady's attic somewhere!
It appears that Eureka waxer is a clip on pad, doesn't seem like they sold well because I cannot find evidence they sold very well or remaining examples. Hopefully there is one chilling in an old lady's attic somewhere!
eurekaprince
Well-known member
When I look at this very long list of Eurekas, it’s no wonder their TV commercials used to say: “Eureka makes the very best in vacuum cleaners - and more kinds of vacuum cleaners than anyone else in the world.”
And this extensive list does not even include all those other models made by Eureka for other companies and retailers around the world:
USA: Montgomery Ward, JCPenney, Kmart, Western Auto (Wizard)
Canada: Timothy Eaton Company (Viking), Hudson Bay (Baycrest, Beaumark)
Mexico: Koblenz
UK: Parnall
France: Singer
Argentina: Yemel
Europe: Electrolux
And this extensive list does not even include all those other models made by Eureka for other companies and retailers around the world:
USA: Montgomery Ward, JCPenney, Kmart, Western Auto (Wizard)
Canada: Timothy Eaton Company (Viking), Hudson Bay (Baycrest, Beaumark)
Mexico: Koblenz
UK: Parnall
France: Singer
Argentina: Yemel
Europe: Electrolux
eurekaprince
Well-known member
Correction…the Argentinian brand name is Yelmo, not Yemel.
Thank you for those mentions, Brian. The private labels are easy for me to forget!
Your recent comment in thread 45502 " ... If I remember correctly, the dates for the new features were: 1967 for Vanguard flat hood and box-top bag, 1969 for the Rugulator and 1971 for the Vibra Groomer brush roll." prompted me to revive this thread so as not to hi-jack that one.
Here's a timeline of features (and the first model-types of each) you mentioned plus some extras according to the print ads, VL posts and online videos I've seen. I continue to learn as I go, so it includes some updates from the "Chron-O-Matic" timeline. I included colors, as I recently learned that the colors of the Models 271 and 2070 were changed mid-production and to facilitate future clarification and identification:
1964—Stow-Away Tool Tray: "Princess" Model-Type 705-A, "Prince II" Model-Type 714-BV—both in 2-Tone Blue
1965—Cordaway: Model-Types 265-A in Lagoon Blue & Ivory, 1100-A "Empress" in ivory & green(?), 730-A in 2-Tone Blue & 745-A in 2-Tone Blue; 555-A in 2-Tone Blue
1965—Tool-Pak: Model-Type 730-A in 2-Tone Blue
1966 or 1967—Tapered Hood (like Thatwasherguy's), likely coincided with Hoover's square hood introduced in 1966: Model-Types 266-A; 270-A/271-A w/Cordaway—all in Lagoon Blue & Ivory
1969—Box-Top Bag: Model-Types 270-B/271-B "Custom"; 2080-A/2081-A "Vanguard"—all in Moss Green & Fawn Beige w/Cordaways
1969—Rugulator: Model-Types 2080-A/2081-A "Vanguard" in Moss Green & Fawn Beige; 2070-A/2071-A in Lagoon Blue & Ivory
1969—Dial-A-Nap: Model-Types 2010-A/2011-A, 2020-A/2021-A—in 2-Tone Blue; 2040-A/2041-A, & 2050-A/2051-A—in Lagoon Blue & Ivory
1971—Vibra-Groomer: Model-Types 2070-B in Lagoon Blue & Ivory & 2080-B "Vanguard" in Moss Green & Fawn Beige
1972—Disturbulator w/Beater Bars: Model-Types 238-FB, 2010-RBT, 2012-A, 2022-A, 2032-A, 2044-RB—all in Moss Green & Fawn Beige; Power Team Roto-Matic Model-Types: 1260-A in Rallye Gold & Cream, 1265-A in Big Bad Orange & Cream, 1285-A in 2-Tone Misty Green
___________
For reference:
1. Screen shot & vid of Model 271(-A) in Lagoon Blue & Chrome posted by Hoover1060
2. Model 271-B "Custom" posted on thread 27132 by Eurekastar (thread 29044 shows 270-B posted by HisMastersVoice)
3. Model 2070-B posted on thread 27135 by Bud Mattingly
4. Model 2070-D posted on thread 45502 by Thatwasherguy
Your recent comment in thread 45502 " ... If I remember correctly, the dates for the new features were: 1967 for Vanguard flat hood and box-top bag, 1969 for the Rugulator and 1971 for the Vibra Groomer brush roll." prompted me to revive this thread so as not to hi-jack that one.
Here's a timeline of features (and the first model-types of each) you mentioned plus some extras according to the print ads, VL posts and online videos I've seen. I continue to learn as I go, so it includes some updates from the "Chron-O-Matic" timeline. I included colors, as I recently learned that the colors of the Models 271 and 2070 were changed mid-production and to facilitate future clarification and identification:
1964—Stow-Away Tool Tray: "Princess" Model-Type 705-A, "Prince II" Model-Type 714-BV—both in 2-Tone Blue
1965—Cordaway: Model-Types 265-A in Lagoon Blue & Ivory, 1100-A "Empress" in ivory & green(?), 730-A in 2-Tone Blue & 745-A in 2-Tone Blue; 555-A in 2-Tone Blue
1965—Tool-Pak: Model-Type 730-A in 2-Tone Blue
1966 or 1967—Tapered Hood (like Thatwasherguy's), likely coincided with Hoover's square hood introduced in 1966: Model-Types 266-A; 270-A/271-A w/Cordaway—all in Lagoon Blue & Ivory
1969—Box-Top Bag: Model-Types 270-B/271-B "Custom"; 2080-A/2081-A "Vanguard"—all in Moss Green & Fawn Beige w/Cordaways
1969—Rugulator: Model-Types 2080-A/2081-A "Vanguard" in Moss Green & Fawn Beige; 2070-A/2071-A in Lagoon Blue & Ivory
1969—Dial-A-Nap: Model-Types 2010-A/2011-A, 2020-A/2021-A—in 2-Tone Blue; 2040-A/2041-A, & 2050-A/2051-A—in Lagoon Blue & Ivory
1971—Vibra-Groomer: Model-Types 2070-B in Lagoon Blue & Ivory & 2080-B "Vanguard" in Moss Green & Fawn Beige
1972—Disturbulator w/Beater Bars: Model-Types 238-FB, 2010-RBT, 2012-A, 2022-A, 2032-A, 2044-RB—all in Moss Green & Fawn Beige; Power Team Roto-Matic Model-Types: 1260-A in Rallye Gold & Cream, 1265-A in Big Bad Orange & Cream, 1285-A in 2-Tone Misty Green
___________
For reference:
1. Screen shot & vid of Model 271(-A) in Lagoon Blue & Chrome posted by Hoover1060
2. Model 271-B "Custom" posted on thread 27132 by Eurekastar (thread 29044 shows 270-B posted by HisMastersVoice)
3. Model 2070-B posted on thread 27135 by Bud Mattingly
4. Model 2070-D posted on thread 45502 by Thatwasherguy
eurekaprince
Well-known member
Thanks for this great organized layout of Eureka history!
Here’s a question for which I don’t have an answer: how much time passed after the introduction of the Rugulator before Eureka debuted the Dial-a-Nap feature? I really don’t think they came out at the same time. There must have been at least a one year gap between the debuts of each of them - even though the model numbers seemed to overlap a bit….
Here’s a question for which I don’t have an answer: how much time passed after the introduction of the Rugulator before Eureka debuted the Dial-a-Nap feature? I really don’t think they came out at the same time. There must have been at least a one year gap between the debuts of each of them - even though the model numbers seemed to overlap a bit….
You're welcome, Brian!
According to the periodicals database, the first ad for the Rugulator ("Regulator") was in September 1969 featuring the Model-Type 2070-A, and the Dial-A-Nap was in October 1969, featuring the Model-Type 2010-A.
I also included the Eureka Pamphlet showing those two models, the Vanguard, and others posted by Jae in thread 36109 that he said was from 1969; although I noticed no copyright date on it. The reason for my skepticism is that I found no mention of the "Vanguard" or Model-Type 2080-A in the database until 1970; including the April 24, 1970, Mother's Day ad in LIFE with the Dad, Sisters and Brother in their pajamas posing with different Eurekas. It may be, though, that the preliminary sales campaign began with literature in 1969 to which Jae had knowledge.
Photos:
1. 1969 Sep 17 DAILY UNION DEMOCRAT - Eureka Model-Type 2070-A Rugulator
2. 1969 Oct 30 BEAVER COUNTY TIMES - Eureka Model-Type 2010-A Dial-A-Nap
3./4. 1969 or 1970? Eureka Full Line pamphlet
According to the periodicals database, the first ad for the Rugulator ("Regulator") was in September 1969 featuring the Model-Type 2070-A, and the Dial-A-Nap was in October 1969, featuring the Model-Type 2010-A.
I also included the Eureka Pamphlet showing those two models, the Vanguard, and others posted by Jae in thread 36109 that he said was from 1969; although I noticed no copyright date on it. The reason for my skepticism is that I found no mention of the "Vanguard" or Model-Type 2080-A in the database until 1970; including the April 24, 1970, Mother's Day ad in LIFE with the Dad, Sisters and Brother in their pajamas posing with different Eurekas. It may be, though, that the preliminary sales campaign began with literature in 1969 to which Jae had knowledge.
Photos:
1. 1969 Sep 17 DAILY UNION DEMOCRAT - Eureka Model-Type 2070-A Rugulator
2. 1969 Oct 30 BEAVER COUNTY TIMES - Eureka Model-Type 2010-A Dial-A-Nap
3./4. 1969 or 1970? Eureka Full Line pamphlet
eurekaprince
Well-known member
Thanks for your posts Paul. So it would appear that the Rugulator and Dial-a-Nap models arrived on the scene at the same time. I guess the designers came up with a less expensive way to provide “front end” wheel adjustment for the less deluxe models of upright. It’s probably cheaper to punch a single screw hole into the top of motor hood than it is to cut out a long rectangular slot.
When you look at how wide-spread the sliding scale Rugulator design is, even to the present day, it makes me wonder if Eureka was the very first vac company to come up with this concept. As much as I love the old company and its vacuums, Eureka was never known to really innovate: they always seemed to be copying a feature (sometimes making it better) from Hoover or any of their other competitors. Any thoughts? Was Eureka the first to offer a front end sliding knob to adjust the height of the “working end” of an upright in 1969?
When you look at how wide-spread the sliding scale Rugulator design is, even to the present day, it makes me wonder if Eureka was the very first vac company to come up with this concept. As much as I love the old company and its vacuums, Eureka was never known to really innovate: they always seemed to be copying a feature (sometimes making it better) from Hoover or any of their other competitors. Any thoughts? Was Eureka the first to offer a front end sliding knob to adjust the height of the “working end” of an upright in 1969?
You're welcome for my posts, Brian. I appreciate how each of us learns from one another.
I got into vintage floor care only around a decade ago, so I can only speculate that Eureka's Rugulator was "avant-gard" (French meaning “vanguard” or the “advance guard”—basically the people and ideas that are ahead of their time; from Vocabulary.com); hence the model name.
While I agree that Eureka was both a follower and a leader in the industry, it seems this is one example of when it was the latter; along with the front-end adjustment, Vibra-Groomer, and F & G style disposable bags—to name a few.
I got into vintage floor care only around a decade ago, so I can only speculate that Eureka's Rugulator was "avant-gard" (French meaning “vanguard” or the “advance guard”—basically the people and ideas that are ahead of their time; from Vocabulary.com); hence the model name.
While I agree that Eureka was both a follower and a leader in the industry, it seems this is one example of when it was the latter; along with the front-end adjustment, Vibra-Groomer, and F & G style disposable bags—to name a few.
Hey Brian,
It seems that the box-top bag cover and Moss Green & Fawn Beige colors were introduced in 1968 according to the newspaper ad I recently located for the "Custom" Model-Type 270-B. This corresponds to the thread on which you posted a link to the 1968 commercial featuring this model-type.
1968 Nov 29 FREE LANCE-STAR
It seems that the box-top bag cover and Moss Green & Fawn Beige colors were introduced in 1968 according to the newspaper ad I recently located for the "Custom" Model-Type 270-B. This corresponds to the thread on which you posted a link to the 1968 commercial featuring this model-type.
1968 Nov 29 FREE LANCE-STAR
eurekaprince
Well-known member
Thanks for this Paul! Love the peaceful, gentle tone of that 1968 Vanguard tv commercial. That was the era in which Eureka really presented a calm, confident message to consumers - the products were solid and beautiful and the company did not need to yell at you to buy the cleaner. Even the rapid-fire parade of models at the end had a certain confidence about it…ending with “That’s Eureka.”
Would love to see someone find a “New in Box” beige 1968 Vanguard! Now that would be a find!
Would love to see someone find a “New in Box” beige 1968 Vanguard! Now that would be a find!
You bet, Brian!
I agree about the pleasant tone of the commercial. The melodic background music in it was likely meant to portray the cleaner's gentle sound and ease of operation.
It's hard to believe, though, that Eureka approved that so-called "Vanguard" advertisement with the incorrect "Custom" Model-Type 270-B that lacked the Rugulator! It could be that it was a cost-saving measure of just changing the soundtrack of a supposed 1968 "Custom" commercial.
And if the actual Vanguard with the Rugulator were, indeed, introduced in 1968, it's interesting that the print advertising for it was only introduced in late 1969.
Further, if the Model-Type 270-B were actually a "Vanguard", then the Model-Types 2080-A & -B with the Rugulator would logically have been named "Vanguard II" as Eureka Williams had done with the Princess/Princess II and Prince/Prince II to indicate upgrades.
I agree about the pleasant tone of the commercial. The melodic background music in it was likely meant to portray the cleaner's gentle sound and ease of operation.
It's hard to believe, though, that Eureka approved that so-called "Vanguard" advertisement with the incorrect "Custom" Model-Type 270-B that lacked the Rugulator! It could be that it was a cost-saving measure of just changing the soundtrack of a supposed 1968 "Custom" commercial.
And if the actual Vanguard with the Rugulator were, indeed, introduced in 1968, it's interesting that the print advertising for it was only introduced in late 1969.
Further, if the Model-Type 270-B were actually a "Vanguard", then the Model-Types 2080-A & -B with the Rugulator would logically have been named "Vanguard II" as Eureka Williams had done with the Princess/Princess II and Prince/Prince II to indicate upgrades.
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