Kirbys and Royals: Why So Similar Looking?

[kirbytradition7]

Why do the old Kirbys and Royals look so similar (down to the belt mechanism)? (By this I mean Kirbys before the Generation series, and the metal Royal uprights.) Is it just a case of similar design philosophies? I'm just so curious...

By the way, Royal still make retro-looking metal uprights (the Everlast line), I found out today on the Royal website.

 

[kirbykid63]

I believe Jim kirby worked for Royal.

 

[joe22]

a thought or two

look at all the older brands of vacs, the bell shaped nozzle
was used by many, it spreads the suction out across the bottom opening

later it was thought of as old fashioned, but royal and kirby kept the design, why mess with something that works. btw royal metal uprights still have ALL metal bodies, but the new high amp motors are *screamers*

 

[electrolux~137]

And maybe because they're both (originally) from Cleveland?

 

[sanimatic]

I always wondered about this myself. I do know that many 20s and 30s uprights started with this design, but Royal and Kirby always seemed SO similar that I always assumed they had some sort of connection. Evidently that is not the case.

And regardless of any past similarities, Royal is now part of the TTI family so I would like to keep Kirby as far away from Royal as possible moving forward.

Chris

 

[a007kirbyman]

Jim Kirby, Kirby (S&F) & Royal...

So far in my research, I have not came across anything that shows any connection between Jim Kirby & Royal; such as working for or designing for them.

The only 'connection' if you will is in that, he designed a massager for a gentleman named Knocks, who later sold the design to Phillip A Geier.

I believe it was circa 1908 that P A Geier began marketing the massager as well as hair dryers. Geier did not enter the vacuum market until 1910. Geier later came to be known under the Royal name/badge.


(Unfortunately, I was NOT there [Cleveland] at those places & dates, so this is based on my research.] ~~lol~~


If anyone else WAS there at that time, or DOES have more accurate information to the contrary, I would appreciate seeing it.

Hopefully this is of assistance (& is accurate info).

Cheers & hagwknd all,

Bill