I just found this... :D

[vintagehoover]

Anyone seen it before? I'm not sure what the sound-track's all about, pity it doesn't have it's original narration...but still...amazing clip!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1599533391700494798

 

[aeoliandave]

The Hoover Floor Washer - Dryer!

Wonderful extended commercial. Oh man, I love this machine. My all time favorite vintage 'not a vacuum exactly' floor care device. Just something about that stylish tough plastic fuselage body wrapped around those solid metal bits and the darn thing does exactly what it promises. Nice motor sound and the sheer cleverness of a collapsed waste water bag tucked inside the clean water jug - brilliant!. Basically, it's a wet mop on wheels with a water dispensing tank, that vacuums up it's own waste water and damp drys the floor with the warm motor exhaust.

Sure, today's - Hoover - modern floor washer systems with motorized scrubbing brushes probably work more efficiently but they don't have the charm & portability factor of this first (?) domestic 1960s version from Hoover you can hang on the closet wall.

Of course, in less time she could have simply knelt down with a dishcloth and wiped up the milk on her way out to Church or the Bridge Club Luncheon.

I have two yellow ones, one nozzle-less and the other missing the brush plate. So I converted a vacuum floor nozzle to fit that does the job. I so want a blue one some day...

Dave

 

[vintagehoover]

I think in particular the glimpse into Hoover's design dept, with all the rows of drawing boards, and what I assume is their research laboratory, is particularly fascinating. I've never seen footage of these before.

We never had the floor washer over here - a pity, they look like fun!

I agree with you about wiping up the milk; it's like those little rechargeable wet 'n' dry dustbuster handvac things; by the time you've got it out, set it up, and removed the spill bit by bit, stopping to empty the miniscule tank repeatedly as you go, you might as well have grabbed some kitchen roll and mopped it up by hand!

 

[charles~richard]

It's an interesting machine but there's something kludgy and homely and out-of-proportion about it. Obviously one of those products designed in-house by a committee. Too bad they didn't get Dreyfuss to design it -- can you imagine what it would look like?! Maybe something like this ... (bearing in mind that I just scratched this out in, like, 30 seconds - just trying to present a concept) ...

 

[charles~richard]

p.s. that really is a cool video!!

 

[electroluxxxx]

Nice looking floor scrubber dave

 

[hoover1060]

OOOOOHHH!!

That kitchen is to DIE for!!

 

[filterqueen83]

funny

I was just telling my partner as he walked in I would die for that kitchen. I dont like the fridge much but would be able to live with it lol.

 

[petek]

I think everyones 50's mom had those exact same kitchen curtains or at least very similar LOL