these were very popular
I remember when I was growing up every hotel or motel we ever stayed in 99% had these. maybe because they're tough and had the shake out cloth bag they didnt have to replace a disposable bag all the time-because you know in a hotel they would fill up fast and all they had to do is turn the clip at the bottom, take it off, slip the slider thing off the top and shake it out in the dumpster and done. also cheaper not having to buy bags all the time. these vacuums were everywhere.