Model O Suction Sweeper photo

[electrolux137]

 


 


I happened to find this photo on the Internet last night of a Model O "Suction Sweeper." I've never seen this photo before! It does appear to be genuine and not a "recreation." So I'm wondering who the lady is!

The Hoover in this photo is slightly different from the one that was in the Hoover Historical Center. This one says "Patented June 2, 1908 - Other Patents Pending" whereas the HHC model just says "Patents Pending." And the one at the HHC says "New Berlin, Ohio" below the "Suction Sweeper Co." lettering whereas this one does not. So this one is clearly newer.

 

[paul]

Charles,

<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;">For what it's worth, something about the woman's make-up causes me to question whether the photo is authentic to its perceived age or is staged to look that way.  Many--if not all--the early 1900s photos I have personally seen featuring women portray them with darker eye shadow and lipstick; albeit I am not by any means an authority on the subject.  In addition, the white shoes just don't seem to fit with my previous exposure (forgive the pun) to early 1900s photos.  Again, I would expect their color to be the black lace-up style (I'm not into shoe fashions either; in case you didn't notice).  A third point of contention would be the painted fingernails.  Did women of that era paint theirs?</span>


<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span>


<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;">Wish I could be of help on the Model O info--sorry.</span>


<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;">Paul</span>

 

[1926700]

i thought the same thing......

Her face is way to pretty to be from that time era....so to speak. I've seen enough pics from that time period to know that people in pictures looked, well rather sickly. dark circles around the eyes, and just not as perfect as this young woman looks.

 

[aeoliandave]

As much as I would like the photo to be authentic - and certainly the Model O is - I have to say the whole photo has been staged. The pedestrian background prop furniture and accessories are just too perfectly placed the wallpaper is a horror clashing with the carpet.


The blouse & skirt (an obvious stock costume piece; it's hemmed too short for the period) are mismatched and in fact the blouse sleeves are diaphanous and unsupported - nor is she wearing the mandatory corset under there. The white sneakers are a dead giveaway as is the lady's uninspired combed back straight and teased high 'coiffure'. That clunky flat curl behind her ear reminds me of the embellished hairdresser 'creations' from my Grade 8 Graduation group photo, which would have been 1966/67.


It's a perfect example of late 1960s early 1970s marketing without regard for historical accuracy. Possibly a Hoover in-house series of proof of concept shots, not intended for publication, featuring a contract Hoover model/typing pool gal.


It's an opportunity to further visual research. Thank you Charles, for posting it.


If we keep searching Hoover ads from the 1960s/70s I'm sure she'll pop up in a pant suit or A-line smock or an Empire waistline.


 


Dave

 

[1926700]

May I add one more thing....

look at her hands, way to nice and soft looking, with painted nails..lol...Now that Dave mentions it, the costuming is all wrong. I of all people should notice such things....As for the machine itself, there's no cord showing. further more its not even turned on, 99.9% off all the original model O adds show the machine running with the bag inflated.

 

[electrolux137]

 


 


If it is a staged photo (and I'm not saying it's not; I really don't know) then the question that begs to be answered is, "Where did they find such an immaculate Model O??!


 

 

[1926700]

well id say this.....

in the picture i might look like that, but were not there to see the other side, or the back. I also tend to think of it this way, a model 700, or 725, 800, or 150 could look just as good in a pic. assuming that was the late 60's when that pic was taken, the O would have been newer than a much newer than even a 700 is now. if it was 1968 the o would have been only 60 years old...

 

[hoovercelebrity]

I know for a fact that the Hoover Company had numerous models completely restored to exact original specifications over the years.  That's what my guess would be to what's in the photo posted at the top of this thread.  Hoover had quite a few models "floating" around; I seem to recall seeing both Grey and White finishes... I can't find any photos of a white version at the moment, but I'll look around.


 


Here's the model that's in the "showcase" at the Hoover Historical Center.  I had gone there one day when they were moving things around right after Christmas and got the chance to snap this picture of the Model O outside of its cabinet. 


 


 

 

[hoovercelebrity]

There's also one in the Smithsonian -- I didn't expect to see this when I visited the Museum of American History -- it was a cool surprise to see that day. 

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Although I just re-read what Charles posted above about the wording about the Patent on the machine... Hmmmm.  I need to go find those pictures.


 


Here's another picture that I was able to locate right away tonight; this showcase was right inside the main entrance of the Hoover's office building -- picture taken August 2001.

 

[brandon_w_t]

Just for referencing design patterns, here is the Spangler suction sweeper.

 

[aeoliandave]

Where did they find such an immaculate Model O?

Besides Kyle's O in South Michigan There are 3 more that I know of and have seen.


 


The TTI Hoover/DirtDevil head office in the suburbs of Akron OH has an immaculate one in a raised glass case in their central private display. It looks to have been meticulously repainted and pinstriped. The bag is 'inflated with kapok stuffing.


 


The Hoover Historical Center has two, one in nice shape with a few nicks & dents also in a plexiglas case with a stuffed bag...but as evidenced by the brass motor plaque location and other fittings it is not the same Model O.


and a second fairly bashed one for use by visitors that has most of its decoration peeled away and exterior repairs and re-enforcement brackets. But it works.


 


It's my understanding from Ann Haynes that recreations of some of the vintage cranked & pumped vacuums in the Harness Shop behind the house were made up in the Hoover Shops back in the 1940s/50s, from damaged examples. No doubt the O was a prime candidate for this treatment.


 


John, perhaps you can confirm this?


 


Btw, the Hoover Historical Center, since being physically moved a 1/.4 mile east to Hoover Park, now belongs to Walsh University of North Canton and has no connection with TTI.


So I very much doubt that TTI obtained their example from the Historical Center.


 


Dave


 


The TTI Model O


 

 

[aeoliandave]

This is the protected original Model O at the Hoover Historical Center

 

[aeoliandave]

And this the the Center's demonstration Model O.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

the

Model O behind Fred was given to John Gregory in may 2006 by current Hoover vice president Mike Bilberry if you go on Johns sweeper central website you can see that very same model O in action . It is this model O behind Fred given to John Gregory that John gave back to TTI in February 2011 along his vintage Hoover collection to the TTI President Chris Gurreri . Some of John Gregory's vacuums are currently on display at TTI corporate head quarters in Glenn willow Ohio .It was Johns vintage Hoovers that were used in the recent dirty house infomercial including the Model O from the main lobby the model 300 the model 82 and the custom built red and white hoover convertible that John Gregory built for then TTI President Chris Gurreri .
Below I attached the infomercial that show cases John Gregory's Hoover vacuums along with the model O.

Dan

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Found it!

Here's the photo of the white cleaner that I was thinking of - it actually appears to be a Senior No. 1, which is the third Hoover Model.  Can't actually see it in as good of detail as I thought.  Either way, it's not the model in that top picture. 

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I've been photographed with the one on display at TTI, m

Yes, it was in Scranton, and was sold back to TTI, where it sits in a hallway. I also know the man (will meet him on my next trip to Ohio). He is the man who 'restored' the O(s). There's a lengthy story about it all, and I "can't, shouldn't won't ) expound on it here. But, it IS an interesting story. Let's just refer to him for now, as "Doug"... a nice man who was let go at HOOVER upon the sale to TTI. That's ALL I'm gonna say, for now.

 

[cb123]

She's superimposed,

or cropped into an older photograph, I think. Notice the almost complete lack of white spackling on the beautiful young woman, yet its presence permeates the background. Of course I'm only speculating like everyone else.

 

[vacbear58]

Dave is right on the money

I believe this picture to date from 1968, to coincide with Hoover's 60th anniversary. Without looking back through my computer files at home I am pretty this picture was used here to market the Dialamatic which had not that long been introduced.

And besides all the very valid comments about the model and her attire, she has painted nails, which no respectable woman would have had in the early part of the 20th century.

Al