POD

[suckolux]

I have always wondered about something guys, why is it that when I see a Compact like mine or the one pictured it is always the same one, though it was only made 59-60 was it? Just seems a bit weird, did they push a lot that year or two? Maybe just in my area? Thanks, David.

 

[caligula]

Compact.

Call it Revelation, compact or Tri Star it's the same machine!
This is not one of the brands I know very well, but the Compact started out as 'Revelation' in the late 1940's. It was made by the Interstate Corporation out of Anahiem, California (Los Angeles area) and aside from a few minor changes, is bacically the same. Some collectors love it, some hate it, others, like me, really don't care that much either way. The general term for this is 'the Pig'.

What really put the Compact on the map was the tv quiz show Queen For A Day! I watched it so I could see the Compact dispay, as to the show it'self? it was awfull! But please don't get me started on that subject.

There were some very nice tools but I never understood the 'Magic Disk'! A sort of carpet sweeper thingy.

As for the history, I leave that to the experts in this club.

Alex Taber

 

[suckolux]

I loved the magic disk, and the polisher, all missing after all of these years. I think the machine came from TWA designed by Mr Hughes, but I could really really be wrong. My question is to that I only see that two year model anytime I look. Strange.

 

[aeoliandave]

A genuine example of "Don't fix it if it ain't

While aesthetic appreciation of the Pig is a personal matter there's no denying the perfect balanced combination of a powerful double-fan motor exhausting 80" airflow from a cloth bag hanging unencumbered inside a large clog-limiting open vortex chamber; the same principles used in a Cone filter Filter Queen 'bagless' right up to the present day. In fact the Compact, Haleys Comet and the Filter Queen used the same Amtek fan/motor unit for decades (until modernization came along raising the suction as well as the noise level in the redesigned Tristar, MiracleMate and Vortech Force).
Charles Richard Lester has an excellent history on the Interstate Engineering Company 1937 roots in El Segundo, California and how & why it came to 'birth' the Compact and it's descendants.

I hope you will not mind my link Charles, as we know how concerned your time is with Arlee's difficulties at this time.

I wish to add and advise that Charles entire site and its invaluable research and insights should be a standard favorite in every Vacuumlander's saved Bookmarks.

Dave


http://www.137.com/compact/

 

[suckolux]

True Dave, that pic was saved as my wallpaper! That was how I could tell mine is a two year only design, maybe they just moved a lot of them that era?

 

[suckolux]

Ops, desktop backround!

 

[crevicetool]

It's interesting to note.....

just like the Electrolux "Star Performers" picture, there seems to be at least one model missing on the TriStar poster too. Unless that (what looks to be) Orange C-8 is actually the Gold NIB compacts that were available last year. I don't know a lot about Compact/TriStar....actually nothin'....just wonderin' if there are others not shown too.

Rick

 

[suckolux]

Good point!

 

[caligula]

Thanks guys

Told you the experts knew the answer to this one, but what about the Revelation? I remember using one when I was a kid of about 6 (1955) it was navy blue with a chrome lid. It was old then so perhaps it was one of the first.

I do remember somthing about TWA airlines, but as for the history, I will have to study this.

Thanks everybody,

Alex Taber

 

[suckolux]

My friend who worked for TWA since 1972 said they used them all the time, though the colors did change. She only remembered it when she saw my desktop.I still wonder what ever happened to all my attachments and tools, 50 years, stuff happens I guess. David.

 

[aeoliandave]

I think you've hit on something significant, David. I'm thinking that because of Queen For A Day (perhaps the original humiliation reality show), first as a Radio show and then on Television from 1956 to 1964, home sales of Compacts went through the roof and that particular model in Turquoise and the next versions of the C6 with one central and then two front casters became imprinted in the housewife's mind...and so on. I must say tho that the central caster model seems to be the most rare of the turquoises', at least in my neck of the woods - I've only ever seen one. The two caster C6 models on the other hand are abundant and the caster-less C5 is only sightly less plentiful.

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

 

[suckolux]

Maybe? If you notice, even the floating Compact at the intro to here is the 59-60 model, yet again. Or I think it looks like it.I have seen 4 in my home town, not a big one at that, all just like mine.Just think it's kinda odd. Thanks Dave.