Royal Straight-Suction Cleaners Through the Years

[kirbyclassiciii]

Let's see if I can get this "straight" about Royal's straight-suction cleaners:

Model 80 (Electro-Hygiene): 1934-1937
Model 94 (Electro-Hygiene): 1938-1942
Model 130: 1925-1937
Model 230 (Electro-Hygiene): 1945-1953
Model 2-230 (Electro-Hygiene): 1953-1955
Model 311: 1965-1987

This is an incomplete list. As Royal did not enter the janitorial side of the vacuum cleaner market until about 1965, then it is assumed the model 311 was the only straight-suction upright in that category.

~Ben

 

[dysonman1]

1910 Royal Model 1

Very first Royal model ever made. Removable cord goes through handle, which is also removed (they are the wands) when attachments are used.

 

[dysonman1]

Royal Standard

Royal built the Standard for slightly more than 10 years. The bag attaches with an oval opening, and the connector is pulled UPWARDS to remove the bag for emptying out the Bottom.

 

[dysonman1]

Royal Super

The Royal Super has the round bag connection, just like today's machine. The Health-Mor was a private labeled Royal Super. Ironic that Filter Queen sold a cloth bag upright for 11 years before the canister model 200 (which Royal ALSO made for Health-Mor, as well as the model 350 canister).

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Tom,

Thank you very much for those pictures!

~Ben

 

[hygiene903]

Model 80

The first Electro-Hygiene, made from 1934-1937. It had an inline switch on the cord so that it could be broken down and used as a hand vac with a small bag and handle. Not sure just where mine falls between those dates, but with the serial # of 80-8116 I'm assuming maybe about the midway point. And yes, it runs like a champ!
Jeff

 

[hygiene903]

Model 94

The next model of Electro-Hygiene had a hammered finish--not hammertone, but actually hammered into the metal. Also, the switch was moved to the handle with the cord running through it, with a pigtail connection close to the motor so it could still be broken down for use as a hand vac. It had the original bag when the previous owner got it, but it was in such poor condition that he got a generic replacement and had a section of the original bag with the logo serged onto it. This logo, which was also used on the data plate, was registered as Electro-Hygiene's trademark.
During the production of the 94, Electro-Hygiene incorporated as a company in their own right in 1941. They had previously been a wholly owned subsidiary of the P.A. Geier Co.
Jeff

 

[hygiene903]

Model 230

When production resumed after WWII, Electro-Hygiene introduced the model 230. The bag was different and they went back to a smooth finish, but otherwise it was the same machine as the model 80. Also, for whatever reason, this one didn't have a lower cord hook. I do have a couple Royals with only one cord hook, but this is the first Electro-Hygiene I have seen that way. This one has the best brush strip of any of my straight suction Electro-Hygienes--looks as if it had never been used! It is also the model that was in production when my uncles were selling Electro-Hygiene.
Jeff

 

[hygiene903]

And Finally, The 2-230

Not much difference between this and the 230, except that the bag color was changed from black to blue and the motor housing was more streamlined. As you can see here, I have a partial set of attachments with it, missing the wands, crevice tool, and floor brush. Anyone have spares?
Jeff

 

[vintagevaclover]

I would LOVE to add one of these to my collection! Not really any particular model, just one of the straight suction ones. I love these!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Royal 311

Here's the 311 commercial duty version (1965-1987)

~Ben

 

[tolivac]

The Royal 311 model was the one I heard of being liked for cleaning gym and basketball floors.With hard floors making a comeback in some homes-surprized these machines arenr't being reintroduced.They could be equipped to use the disposable B bags.