My Modern Hygiene And The Story Behind It

[firebirdman55]

This one has quite a story behind it. About a year ago, I posted a want ad for vintage cleaners on Craigslist. I received a text that night. He told me he had an old Modern Hygiene and he would sell it to me for $20. I immediately drove to his house. Knocked on the door and out he came and led ne to the garage...there it sat underneath a table. His parents boughr it new and used it forever. He was born in the 60s and it was already in the home. He told me that in the early 70s, his parents went out to buy a new vacuum...only to come home empty handed. They didn't find anything they liked as well as this machine. It was used until about 20 years ago, when it was put in the basement and left untouched. Well, about a year ago, the guy went to his elderly mother's home to help her spring clean. She told him to toss the vac. He told her he would just take it home with him. It meant too much and had too many memories attached with it. And so he did. He told me that he would much rather me take it and enjoy it than ro see it in the dump or just wasting away in his garage. So je loaded the machine as well as a bag of all the original attachments into my car and away I went.

 

[firebirdman55]

Sorry

I just realized that some of my text is messed up in my story...that's what I get for posting from my phone.

 

[firebirdman55]

Moderators, please delete this post and my account. Thank you!

 

[electrolux137]

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That's a great story. Why do you want it and your account deleted?

I think it's safe to say that all of us here relate to your happiness about finding a vacuum cleaner that has such deep sentimental attachment to it by its original owners.

 

[aeoliandave]

I have one too and it is a stunningly designed example of the art of metal bending and casting from the 1940s era - i949 I think. A perfectly decent and useable vacuum cleaner that makes one feel 'mighty modern. And any age cylinder vac with a cloth bag can be fitted with a paper filter bag (Air-Way or Electrolux with the top cardboard cut off and the paper lip folded over the rubber seal ring). That's what I do as I rotate through my vast collection of vintage vacuums from the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. And a few from the early 1960s; my interest and fascination of vacuums trails off after that.
Nothing beats the experience of performing domestic chore with solid chucks of heavy metal appliances particularly because they are so masterfully styled.

Not at all like the masses of plastic junk offered today that are no better at the task of sucking up dirt than the 'oldies' are, IMHO.

if someone offended you with derogatory comment, ignore it and have fun searching Vacuumland's archives for much Moderne Hygiene and other comprehensive coverage of vintage vacuums - you have many Vintage appreciators here.

 

[electrolux137]

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I no longer have this Modern Hygiene but thought you might enjoy seeing the web page I put up about it when I restored it.

http://www.1377731.com/modern

 

[sukething]

Firebirdman55

Please do not delete yourself or this post. I really felt your heart in that story and you can tell that, that
this vacuum was truly loved by someone, they just could not throw it away. I to have one like this as well and so does the museum. I feel the design reminds me of the cars in that era, big and builky. Reminds me of my 1951 Buick that owned. My hose for mine is broken but I will not through it away..