Sanitaire Brand and Model History

[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

 

[paul]

A Few More Ads

Is there literature that states that the red and blue lines began in 1972? I have found nothing to support that in advertising. In fact, the earliest Sanitaire newspaper ad I could locate was 1975.

1. 1975 May 17 ST. JOSEPH NEWS-PRESS

2. 1978 May 8 ST. PETERSBURG TIMES (Correct line drawing?)

3. 1979 Sep 14 ST. PETERSBURG TIMES - Model 686

 

[paul]

Specs Tables

Red Line - 20 Models

Green/Blue Line - 25 Models

 

[human]

Cool, my elusive SC686 shows up on that table, so further proof it's legit! Made between 1979 and 1983.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Paul

Paul,

According to Jeff Parker (hoover1060) Sanitaire's "Blue Line" consumer-use uprights and canisters -- which included models S639 ("Maid Saver"), S644, S646, S648 and S678 among the uprights and the S440 canister (using the old canned ham body) -- first came out in 1986, but I wonder if they actually came out much earlier than that?

~Ben

 

[jayelux]

I bought the blue canned ham Sanitaire in fall, 1983. It was from a vac shop in the Neshaminy Valley mall in Bensalem, PA. The vacuum is long gone, but it was a great cleaner.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Jayelux

Hi Jay,

I would guess then that the Blue Line series did come out in 1983 after all, as many of the uprights represented were variations of the then-current Red Line (commercial use) from before the "Quick Kleen" update was introduced.

S639 = SC679
S644 = SC684
S646 = SC686
S648 = SC688
S678 = SC699

~Ben

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Paul

In reply #33 of this thread, I believe that the specific Hoover commercial upright may have been the U7037 "iron giant" imported from the U.K.

~Ben

 

[paul]

Hesco Schematics Lists

 

[paul]

Here's a rare one, an Industrial Dry Vac canister model SC450-E ...

 

[cheesewonton]

The blue ham can Sanitaire canister mentioned above was the S485. It is a rebrand of a Eureka 1700 series canister with a Rugmaster power nozzle. It is the rarest of the rare today.

https://external-content.duckduckgo...a07d101c824fb2a4b0746e74ebba67be71df13edb7921

 

[cheesewonton]

Next came the German Electrolux Z457 based Sanitaire S490A.

https://www.reddit.com/media?url=ht...bp&s=905f2b5128407a4f5df0e318e5658c5e13c4c373

 

[cheesewonton]

After that came the AEG P3 System Pro based canisters of the S6950, S6951 and S6952. The first of suction only, the other two were sold with different wands and power nozzles.

https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/allerg...ystem-pro-hepa-canister-vacuum-cleaner-23.jpg

https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/allergybegone/sanitaire-sp6951-household-canister-hepa-vacuum-32.jpg

https://www.johnnyvac.com/41005-large_default/sanitaire-canister-vacuum-sp6952ac.jpg

 

[cheesewonton]

After these there was an Electrolux Oxygen based Sanitaire canister vacuum but can find no information or images.

 

[paul]

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.

Billy,

I apologize that I missed seeing your post until now. Here is the information I was able to locate to answer your questions.

Eureka first sought a bag patent on May 11, 1949, and presumably began making them around that time. From what I have been able to ascertain, only the TOL models were equipped with them—the "Airomatic" model 700 tank-type and the model S-246 super-automatic upright (the S-250 debuted in October of that year). In that era, Eureka promoted its new tank and canister models more than its conventional uprights, so I found no ads for them touting the disposable bags until the model S-255 in 1955. And so far I have been unable to locate any patent drawings or line drawings of any Eureka/National Union disposable paper bags; but it may be that they were the same as the one shown in the attached 1961 ad. I'll keep an eye out. I suspect that another company supplied the bags for Eureka.

So as far as I know Eureka only ever used paper bags that filled from the side or top instead of the bottom-fill style used by Hoover. The line drawings in the attached ads indicate that the former Style G bags used with the cloth bag covers were side-fill, and the new F Style had the "long throat" top-fill used with vinyl bag covers, introduced in 1962 on the Deluxe Model-Type 238-A ('deluxe' was actually the budget model, while 'Automatic Twin Power' was the TOL). Around 1972 when the TOL Queen Anne Gold models debuted with vinyl bag covers, the famous Style "F & G" bags with the long throats replaced the former separate styles and every similarly-designed model from that time has used them.

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.

 

[paul]

Ben & others,

I located some advertisements that will be of interest: one that suggests that the Sanitaire blue line premiered in 1982. However, it may be that the store itself began carrying the Sanitaire line by stating "Introducing" and broadened the customer appeal by including "Household" to the ad; and another from 1982 that mentions a paper bag option. Wish model IDs had been included. Note that BUILDING OPERATING MANAGEMENT would be one whose archived volumes might provide more Sanitaire information.

 

[paul]

Here's a rare one, an Industrial Dry Vac canister model SC450-E ...

Snippet View synopsis

 

[paul]

Sanitaire Deluxe model-type 911-A canister on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/277407509823?itmmeta=01K6BZVV8MA98NSY5FSRMRSGKV&hash=item4096c6ad3f:g:3jMAAeSwS7posLl2&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAAwMHg7L1Zz0LA5DYYmRTS30nypFoJuFVsQDLzF9Tu03RCcs4q30LtloLu4X9RtfVcmXhSKcms/lnLTVTkEzLYifezoFkPO2VlIRejWU1vI1H4yu0WqS/sht8wGZVakzVVTz0ZJYtEnLnAaCjdDOQwdBDohjLg8JuKbVFvUVUpaKesHq6AYrh1YjJcwpSJQWvSonWzy5+rxPAdm88o/kRMGnZF4GF2eAm9MsPNa9q4/7k6ARk3Rb3C8IbF8kTBq1805Q==|tkp:Bk9SR7i07_-yZg

While I found no digital newspaper ads for it, I did locate a couple 1960s references: a snippet view of a 1962 NAHHIC (National Association of House to House Installment Companies) trade show; the name being changed to DSA (Direct Selling Association) in 1969, and a 1965 trademark entry in the OFFICIAL GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

It would seem that Sanitaires were sold door to door in the 1960s, which could be why there is so little print information about them.

Interestingly, the motor ratings are the average for the Eureka Super Roto-Matic 900 Series and even less than the Heavy-Duty model-type 948-A and the later standard model-type 980-A (see the attached abridged 900 Series table).

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Ben & others,

I located some advertisements that will be of interest: one that suggests that the Sanitaire blue line premiered in 1982. However, it may be that the store itself began carrying the Sanitaire line by stating "Introducing" and broadened the customer appeal by including "Household" to the ad; and another from 1982 that mentions a paper bag option. Wish model IDs had been included. Note that BUILDING OPERATING MANAGEMENT would be one whose archived volumes might provide more Sanitaire information.

Paul,

The first one would appear to be an S644 (based on the SC684) because of the Vibra-Groomer II.

~Ben

 

[paul]

Ben,

It just occurred to me that archived digital CONSUMER REPORTS would likely be available on WorldCat (either viewing online or via inter-library loan) at your local public library to find Sanitaire information. University libraries often carry hard copies of archived periodicals, as well.

 

[cheesewonton]

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.

In the case of the place I just retired from, a US Navy facility, our office manager could order a vacuum from the GSA catalog and pretty much the only choices were a variety of Sanitaire models. But once you had the vacuum that same GSA catalog didn't offer replacement bags and even if they did the office budget would have to pay for them. So the first Sanitaire I remember had the plastic dirt cup but it was heinous to empty as it was always over filled and shmutz would fall out on the floor when you detached the dirt cup. Our interns managed to burn the thing up vacuuming up after a day long session shredding documents after they were uploaded into a database. Totally smoke checked that poor thing and we still needed to borrow one of the custodial crew's Winsors to clean the remaining mess up. The next Sanitaire had a shake out bag. There isn't enough money in the world to make me use that thing because I know I would be the one to find it over filled and have to empty the bag. No way! If I made a mess and needed a vacuum I begged one of the custodial crew to lend me their ProTeam or Windsor upright. I get the office manager's choice given what she had to choose from, but still ......................

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Ben & others,

I located some advertisements that will be of interest: one that suggests that the Sanitaire blue line premiered in 1982. However, it may be that the store itself began carrying the Sanitaire line by stating "Introducing" and broadened the customer appeal by including "Household" to the ad; and another from 1982 that mentions a paper bag option. Wish model IDs had been included. Note that BUILDING OPERATING MANAGEMENT would be one whose archived volumes might provide more Sanitaire information.

Paul,

This also makes me wonder if the current Sanitaire logo with the stylized "S" also first appeared that year?

I'd love to hear from somebody who remembers buying an S639, S644, S646 or S648 in '82!

~Ben