Sanitaire Brand and Model History

[paul]

Human,

From time to time I've also found model number omissions in other series lists, so either their productions were limited special editions or the record keeper was neglectful.

Thanks for "bringing that to the surface" (excuse the pun). Sounds like you're taking good care of it.

 

[paul]

1944 Legal Ruling on 'Sanitaire' Trademark

August 15, 1944

 

[portable]

And, just to bend your mind into a pretzel....

P.A. Geier Co., maker of Royal vacuums, used the name on one of their tank models, labeled as a SANIT-AIRE. It was manufactured from about 1949 to 1951. I have one, acquired from Charles Lester. It's labeled "the health cleaner".

 

[eurekaprince]

Fascinating! I wonder if Geier was aware of the trademark refusal Eureka received from the government….thinking that adding a hyphen would be more acceptable as a trademark.

 

[paul]

And Yet Another "Sanitaire" - by Hamilton Beach

This is likely what contributed to Eureka's trademark application in 1944. And P.A. Geier wanted to rub Eureka's nose in it!

 

[portable]

Wow. Never heard of the Hamilton Beach version. It looks a lot like their popular Model 26.

 

[paul]

The back of the Hamilton Beach brochure, in fact, indicates that the Sanitaire is a Model 26, so maybe it included a special feature like Eureka's chemically-treated "Germ Trap". Or maybe the 'Sanitaire' label was removed at some point during production.

Further research has revealed that Eureka had two tank model numbers around 1941: N-61-A & W-64. I'm guessing that the Sanitaire was the former and the regular version was the latter. I also wonder if 'N' meant 'narrow' and 'W' indicated 'wide', because somewhere I remember seeing the W-64 identified as a "large tank".

 

[electrolux137]

 


 


Here are some more photos of the "Sanit-Aire" that went to John Lucia. It came from a Little Old Lady at a church where I was formerly the organist. She was in her 90s and had gotten it new as a wedding present in the 1940s. She was still using it until very recently until she got arthritis and couldn't manage it any longer.


 


I also added a couple of photos of the Royal 901.

 

[portable]

Thanks, Charles -

I forgot to add pictures of the box. I love the hose on that Sanit-aire. The attachments are definitely Royal.

 

[paul]

2007 Catalog

 

[tolivac]

I have ordered new vacuums like these from Bissel.Their own barnd-machines are green in color-and Sanitaire.Theirs are the red color.The ones I ordered use filtrete style inner disposable bags-and-----The Bissel bags hve a round opening-the Sanitaire disposable bags have the ST bag opening-THEY ARE NOT THE SAME.So I ordered packs of disposable bags for each.They are nice machines.A good alternative to Royals and a low cost alternative to Kirby.These machines cannot be used with tools-designed to be a great carpet floor vacuum!

 

[tolivac]

Oh yes-the Saniataire I ordered came from Bissel---"Bisseltaire" as we call them at the Greenville Sew&vac.they may carry these.

 

[kirbyklekter]

Paul

Earlier in this thread eurekaprince was wondering when Sanitaires first paper bag came out. I always thought that the shake out came first and later the paper. If they started originally with paper and later shake out I would bet that that was a response to the cleaning companies or custodians etc. wanting lower operating costs.

I was wondering when or specifically which model Eureka introduced the paper bag for the domestic line? Also which model came with the first top fill bag and was that a top tier feature or did all models get the upgrade.

I could imagine the ad department getting a lot of mileage with this change as it really did improve performance over bottom fill bags.

 

[eurekaprince]

I know that our family’s 1960 Eureka Super Automatic 260 upright featured Eureka’s very effective top-fill F & G dust bag. Not sure if previous models did also, but we at least know that the F & G bag was used in 1960. Maybe the early Sanitaires did as well…not sure…

 

[paul]

Re: Reply 18 - Edgar

I was only able to locate one Model SC686 ad in the newspaper database I use from the November 8, 1979, issue of THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES:

 

[human]

Thanks Paul, that's the first independent confirmation I've ever seen of my Sanitaire SC686's existence.

 

[paul]

You're welcome, Edgar. Glad to help.

 

[hoover300]

That Sanitaire tank has at least one nearly identical European copy.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255936575438

 

[paul]

'50s & '60s Sanitaire References

It's not much to go on, but Sanitaire brand cleaners were definitely made by Eureka Williams in the '50s & '60s.

Have a look—

1. 1955 NATIONAL HARDWARE BULLETIN, Vol. 88, p. 70 - reference (no view)

2. 1962 INSTALLMENT RETAILING, Vol. 11 - "Sanitaire Vacuum Cleaner Line Product of Eureka Williams"

3. 1965 OFFICIAL GAZETTE OF THE USPO, Vol. 810 - Sanitaire TM - National Union Electric TM filing June 5, 1964

 

[paul]

1940s Sanitaire tank—Progress Rebadge?

Eureka purchase Progress Vacuum Corporation in 1940.

1. 1937 Mar 23 BERKELY DAILY GAZETTE - Progress Model 9 vacuum cleaner ad

2. 1940 Oct 21 PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE - Eureka acquires Progress