More than how it cleans?

[suckolux]

Was just vacuuming, medicated, with my old Silverado and got to thinking. It is not the easiest or lightest machine I have, but the one I think of when I am cleaning. Maybe this applies more to us older collectors, but with me its as much about how it sounds, looks and feels as how it cleans.I need to enjoy using it, either due to its design or fond memories. Anyone else like this? David.

 

[marks_here]

Absolutely David, when I use my other machines I can remember when it was being used on what carpet, who house had one like it..etc. most of my vacs are named from the people who owned them that I liked...if I say I'm gonna use Mrs. Brulya's vacuum it's the Kirby VII, Mrs. Foote would be the Electrolux Silverado..etc..I know it's stupid but that's how I cope, & no I'm not ready for the knackards yard yet..LOL

 

[suckolux]

My aunt who I loved had a tan? Kirby, early/ mid 60s, first upright. Other aunt had a swivel top GE, never even saw it run. Neighbor across the street had a 1205. Loved the color, the sound, first powerhead, the chrome one? It was the reason I got my Silverado, to try and recreate that moment. Lovely lady, just passed.Also having only had the Compact C4 all my life, uprights are handy, but seem odd to me. Thanks Mark

 

[suckolux]

and I know the power head for the Silverado is not one of the quiet ones, but that in my head is what they should sound like, habit.

 

[kenkart]

I use vintage machines...

For the same reason I use a vintage stove...Quality!, I know new machines as a whole are lighter etc, but when I use something from the 50s...say my 56 Kenkart, im somehow transported back to the days when Sears really was something...when IKE was in the White House, when gas was 25 cents a gallon and there was no EPA telling you what to do,...back when America really was great, when I see or try to use a new product...vacuum or otherwise, its really a let down,,all I can see in my mind are those poor Chinese in a sweatshop somewhere working for nothing, while greedy big business here sits around and finds ways to cheapen already cheap goods and how to put more Americans out of work!!!!

 

[compactc9guy]

Vintage all the way

I got my compact because my grand ma had one like it so i wanted to keep those memories alive .
And i grew up whit Electrolux , compact filter queen ect
so to me its all about childhood memories , who had it when did i first use it and where . The sound it made , the weight , color ect
To me those vacuum bring back another time just like older cars

 

[super-sweeper]

Always! I think of what the vacuum needs from me and what I've done for it! I think of the time period it's from, vacuums can put you in a mood sometime! 


 


Ps-the 'tan Kirby' was most likely a Dual-Sanitronic 50! 

 

[suckolux]

Thanks, I was guessing that also! Loved the color and look of it.

 

[normvac]

Agreed

It is about the quality, time in my history as well as the people who owned the vintage vacuum I am using ! It is especially about the sound the Machine motor or the P N (Electrolux is unbeatable). I would be out on my bicycle or walking to a friend's house. Here a vacuum running in a neighbors house. I would know what they had ! A lot like what Stan Kan expressed in his writing of Vacuum memories !

 

[suckolux]

I do the same thing when I am out walking, though now days its often screaming 12 amp cheap crap

 

[gsheen]

I dont think it has much to do with age , I am 35 and I feel the same way. Just for me the machines are newer. For you its the sound and how it looks, For me , I like to see what I just vacuumed up. Call it consumerism but in the end its all the same. For some its the way it looks , some the way it sounds for me its seeing all the stuff I just sucked up, as a Dad Its also about how I can see all the lego I just vacuumed up by mistake and retrieve it. 


 


That said On Friday ( I try not to work on Fridays)  Its nostalgia time, Thats when I grab something full of shiny metal or painted with actual metal underneath. Its great to here the sounds of my childhood and earlier. 

 

[kirby519]

Yes some times it is about the good old days more than how well it cleans.

I have a Kirby model 519 in my collection as that was the first kirby I used from about age 3 now going on 48. That model was my grandmothers first kirby and then became mine. We wore that one out and she bought me a new Kirby Classic in Jan of 1972 to entertain my grandparents with. It got to be a joke between us that it was my vacuum. No one else could use it other than grandma and grandpa. I do have that one parked at the end of the couch where I can see it daily. Seeing both of those kirby's makes me think about them and the great times we had together and the love between us. It was a bond that could not be broken by anyone.

At the time Kirby's motto was "More Leisure time for you". Kirby was true to it's word in my grandmothers case as well as any one else that would let me vacuum and especially if they had a kirby. Hand it over and the box of attachaments. And the next two to three hours were yours to do what ever else you wanted to do. My grandmothers teachings paid off well for her. As she aged and I could do more to help her. She did what she could do and I did the rest. Some times my "honey do list" was long but did it with a smile. Grandma always made all the fried chicken grandpa and I could eat and all the waffles I wanted for breakfast even if they had a bowl of cereal. Im blessed and lucky to have them for grandparents and wouldn't trade a minute of time I spent with them for anything. The Classic Kirby my grandma bought us is priceless to me and brings back memories I will cherish forever.