Okay...let's see your DREYFUSS machines!

[vintagehoover]

Good question!

I guess it added weight, and perhaps they didn't realise it would be necessary in the home environment.

I think it's probably things like pennies, or small rocks, which pose the greatest threat. I've seen a couple of 700/800 series cleaners on eBay in the past with holes in the side of their fan chamber - one seller actually suggested 'This does not affect the function of the cleaner'!

I'm surprised that whatever caused the hole in my 160 didn't also take out a few fan-blades!

The 900 and 925 also had lined fan chambers...I'm not sure about the 972, 961, or anything earlier.

 

[vacuumkid3]

Wow, ya'll are coming up with some good stuff here!

Man, I figured someone would come up with the Honeywell thermostat! :-D

Nice, Ian! Those are some cool ones!!

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing, Charles! That lining seems as though it is obviously important...!

~~K~~

Oh, yeah! I have another...doesn't it look like that train, the 20th Century Limited? (*hint hint*) :-D I own an Eversharp Skyline as well...just need a few vacuums to complete the collection!

 

[petek]

Not Dreyfuss but one of my alltime favorite trains.

http://www.msichicago.org/exhibit/zephyr/legacy/index.html

 

[ian88]

Well since we're talking a.) design and b.) trains, I ma

Here she is, English Electric (yes, the washing machine people) Deltic, powered by an engine which was arranged in a sort of Triangle shape..nothing else on earth sounds like a Deltic lol.

I know i'm sort of straying off topic, but can ya really blame me people?

 

[aeoliandave]

Lionel version of Dreyfuss NYC 20th Century Limited.

 

[aeoliandave]

Lionel's version of Raymond Lowey's locomotive streamlineing - the 1939 Torpedo - equally memorable and recognizable.

 

[aeoliandave]

Sorry, that's Raymond Loewy. The Torpedo was another name for Pennsylvania Railroad's experimental S1 which Lionel scaled considerably shorter so it would navigate it's own 027 switches, as they had earlier for the Dreyfuss design. Lionel also had its version of the Burlington Zephyr.

 

[charles~richard]

It's easy to understand how Henry Dreyfuss and Raymond Loewy and, to a lesser extent perhaps, Lurelle Guild are frequently mixed up one for the other. They certainly were kindred spirits. For that matter, I guess you could also throw Walter Teague and Norman Bel Geddes into the mix as well, although I don't believe the latter two designed any vacuum cleaners.

 

[z30soulbrother]

cheers for the info

ta for that guys, si i thought so about the tools for senior, yes i would rather have these older type, you can blow and the hose is nice and long, same with the juniors of those times. can anyone tell me anything about the next 1 up from the 160 series that came in blue but still had side hose port but "modern" blue flexible hose and tools and i think there was an eqhivelent in junior 119 shape with similar tools?

si

 

[seamusuk]

Si

Hey mate
The senior type you are thinking of is the 638 or 63 in the us. I dont have one but im sure someone can oblige with a pic . The junior is the 1224 - will post a pic of mine complete with tools tonight. It is the same as the 119 but with a different paint job . These were the first uk uprights to have the Hooverflex hose. Hooverflex was known as Ultraflex over the pond, seamus

 

[tolivac]

Didn't My Dreyfuss also design some tractors for John Deere?

 

[myvacsrock]

Did someone say 150???

 

[myvacsrock]

Ok one More!

Happy as a Clam!

 

[ian88]

I'd imagine there's a website, maybe just a Wikipedia article that lists Dreyfuss's designs..i'll have a scout for one ;]

Ah here we go, Wikipedia..the cause, and solution to, all of life's problems.

Significant original Dreyfuss designs include:

the "Western Electric 302" tabletop telephone for Bell Laboratories (1930, produced 1937-1950)
the Hoover "Model 150" vacuum cleaner (1936)
the classic Westclox "Big Ben" alarm clock (1939)[1]
the New York Central Railroad's streamlined "Twentieth Century Limited" locomotive (1938)
the popular "Democracity" model city of the future at the 1939 New York World's Fair
the styled John Deere Model A and Model B tractors (1938)
the Wahl-Eversharp Skyline fountain pen (1940).
the "500" desk telephone (1949), the Bell System standard for 45 years
the Honeywell circular wall thermostat (1953).
the spherical "Model 82 Constellation" vacuum cleaner for Hoover (1954) which floated on an air cushion of its own exhaust.
the "Princess" telephone (1959)
the "Trimline" desk telephone (1965).


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Dreyfuss

 

[vacuumkid3]

I own a Trimline as well...the DIAL kind! I never knew they had those until my twin was at an antique store and found one and bought it for me for my birthday! I got it working, but I still need to find a plug...and I can't remember if the ringer works or not. Also, I have the 500...that's a pretty one!

Say...the 82 Constellation does NOT float, right? I believe I used one at Toby's house...and, well...it didn't float. Is this correct?

GREAT MODEL TRAINS!! I love those!!

~~K~~

 

[ian88]

Yeah it doesn't float afaik.

I prefer the ones that float tbh, makes em cooler imo lol.

 

[z30soulbrother]

constellation

i am glad someone else has raised this floating issue. i was always unsure, so was it all of the the top hose jobbies that didnt float and only the side hose ones that did change took place around 1957ish yes?

si

 

[aeoliandave]

Right. As originally conceived by Raymond Loewy the 82 does not hover. As the original owner's manual posted here indicates, the big selling feature of the all new Constellation was the super long Ultraflex hose and swiveltop connecter that kept the machine in the center of the room (like an Air-Way) while allowing a 14 foot radial reach. A rubber gasket directed the exhaust into the felt stuffed rim where it exited up the sides of the lower ball, which was spaced 1/4" away from the rim by the hinge and two rubber bumper buttons. The rim was hinged to open for access to the blower port. As a consumate and accomplished industrial designer Loewy would have done this to muffle the exhaust and keep it from blowing outwards disturbing dust into the air.

The 'accidental' hovering ability was added the second year by modifying the gasket to direct exhaust through a matching port to the bottom of the otherwise identical rim, with the trade-off result of blowing unsucked dust bunnies scurrying to the four walls. The rim was still hinged to open for access for hose connection to the blower port without tipping the whole vacuum inelegantly over on its side.

In the 3rd and major Constellation modification, to capitolize on this frictionless floating side benefit, the lower rim was redesigned to be more suited to the purpose and rivited solidly in place tight to the ball. The wide outward rim flare doubles as a hose coiling cradle so the entire vacuum ensemble can be carried & stored away as one unit. The top center swivel elbow was no longer needed as the vacuum could trail along behind the vacuumer and was moved off center down the side and the finned handle added which doubles as a cord wrap.

This is the model most are familiar with. Later changes to this final enduring form accomodated tool holder racks, and the model Tom gave me that has two clever fin-let tabs just above the rubber bumper trim for cord coiling there rather than around the handle. Tom also showed me the model with the optional power hose connection. More on that please, Tom. I remember he said something about how short lived this inovation lasted due to electrical failures...

The engineering evolution & solutions away from Loewy's original intent become obvious when all 3 early machines can be compared side by side.

Not that there's anything wrong with that - Hoover paid for the design, owned it and was free to change anything the marketing department deemed essential to continued sales success. The longevity of the Connie design proves how right they were.

 

[aeoliandave]

oops, you know I meant Dreyfuss, not Loewy, right?

Early morning, waiting on the coffee. My apologies. Dave

 

[aeoliandave]

Original non-hovering Dreyfuss Constellation 82 from the Owner's Manual showing the inner ring of exhaust holes of the felt lined outer rim ring to which the Connie blow hole exhaust is directed through a rubber seal. Mmm, same principle and construction as an engine muffler.