The genius Sears vacs from Birtman Electric

[dysonman1]

Many people have a favorite Sears Kenmore vacuum in their collection. In getting my collection ready for sale, as we are closing the museum, I have been re-introduced to the genius that was coming out of Chicago in the 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Here is a Kenmore "top of the line" upright from 1953, next to a "horizon" canister from 1957. The upright has six wheels. Complete and total automatic height adjustment. This is one of their first upright vacuums that used disposable bags.

The "horizon" has the motor built by Birtman With a unique sound. It is like no other cleaner starting up.

I have decided to do all of my holiday cleaning with vintage Kenmore cleaners. So much fun to use.

 

[dysonman1]

One of my favorites was the Lady Kenmore Whispertone. It used the same two speed lamb motor that filter queen used in their machine. Just think, by 1962, Sears had the electric pistol grip hose and L shaped power nozzle with a headlight, A two speed motor, a full bag indicator, and full attachment storage on the machine including the extension wands. My husband liked it very much as well. He said it was one of the few vacuums that "fit his hand".

 

[dysonman1]

In 1958, Sears brought out the power mate attachment for their Lady Kenmore Vacuum. Thanks to my friend Hans I have one in my collection. Over built, over engineered, and over thought, it was the very first. I love it, I use it, and it still works fabulously.

 

[dysonman1]

Mid 1970's Kenmore "Sears Best" with powermate. What an amazing machine to use with its two speed motor, full bag indicator, 10 foot hose, and solid-state power nozzle belt protection.

 

[dysonman1]

The extraordinarily rare 1955 Kenmore KenMaid. I've never seen another one other than mine.

 

[dysonman1]

The first KenKart showed up by 1950. For someone who used all of their attachments all of the time, this was a wonderful machine. Many people don't realize that it could be operated horizontally as well as vertically. This one is one of the jewels of my collection. Mine was made in 1954. In one form or another, the KenKart was manufactured for almost a decade.

 

[beevac]

My opinion of Birtman built Kenmores

All my life I have liked best cleaners built by Birtman Electric. My collection is based on them though I have other brands also. My favorites are the 116.7360 Ken Kart with a jumbo size 7 amp motor from 1953 & the Coral pink / light sand tip proof Lady Kenmore 116.7780 from 1957.This has a special rug nozzle & serrated bristle wall/floor brush. Original coral hose & the other tools are present. Also the manual. I have also a lux blue hammer effect enamel finished Bee Vac upright which I just put in new motor bearings. Many more Birtman machines. Birtman armatures don't burn out as easily as other makes. I sware by them.

 

[eurekaprince]

The central role that Sears Kenmore played in the history of American vacuum cleaners is really quite amazing when you think of it. Along with Electrolux and Hoover and Eureka, Kenmore really contributed a wealth of ideas and features that made vacuum cleaning so much easier over the decades. And of course, behind the Kenmore name were three outstanding manufacturers: Birtman, Whirlpool and Panasonic.

I guess it remains to be seen whether Cleva can continue Kenmore’s tradition of innovation and quality in the years to come.

 

[beevac]

Kenmore Commander 116.7260

This is an extremely scarce Kenmore tank vacuum cleaner in tunis blue . It has attachment clips on it's body. It has the Bee Vac T18 intake flange rather than the bullet shape one. This is the last Kenmore tank. Whirlpool pink slipped it when they took over Birtman Electric in June !957.

 

[beevac]

Kenmore Commander 116.7260

This is an extremely scarce Kenmore tank vacuum cleaner in tunis blue . It has attachment clips on it's body. It has the Bee Vac T18 intake flange rather than the bullet shape one. This is the last Kenmore tank. Whirlpool pink slipped it when they took over Birtman Electric in June !957.

 

[dysonman1]

1953 was a very good year to be a Kenmore.

 

[dysonman1]

The 1955 Kenmore "705" is, in my opinion, the best of all the KenKarts. It's quieter than the other versions and doesn't tip due to its three-point wheel carriage and low center of gravity. It's a joy to use and was the first Kenmore to offer an optional cord winder like Electrolux had. I added an extra-long hose, and this is one of the most fun vacuums to use. Clean your entire house just by switching attachments.

 

[vacmadman]

My Kenmore's and my Apollo also made by Britman.

 

[justjunque]

They're all beautiful. But, I love how "Kenmore" is spelled out across the bumper on that one.

 

[collector2]

Interesting how the kenkart was changed from 1954 to 1955. This is the 1954 version 116.7631. Basically the same machine but this one still has the same position of the hose outlet as the older ones while the position is moved forward on your 1955 version and it uses the larger hose connector, which would go on to be used in the subsequent cannister machines.

 

[collector2]

My favorite Birtman machine is the Whispertone 90 (116.2690) from 1962. Wish I could find the power nozzle for it though. It belonged to an old friend of the family and the only rug they had in the house was an area rug in the living room so she didn't buy the power head.

 

[dysonman1]

They are a thing of beauty and a joy forever. 1953, 1955, and 1956 Sears Kenmore KenKart vacuums. By June 1957, Sears had orchestrated a hostile takeover of Birtman Electric and it was all over but for the crying. These are my "three amigos".

 

[n0oxy]

Kenmore vacuums

I absolutely love the Kenmore canister I got a couple months ago. A 1970's Kenmore canister in great shape. If I could go back in time, I would love to visit a Sears store in the early to mid 1970's and check out their vacuum display.
Mike

 

[dysonman1]

Mike, I'm so glad you like it. That was my blue Sears's best Kenmore PowerMate canister with two speed motor and full bag indicator light. It was so top of the line it came with two napped pads for the upholstery nozzle and the bare floor tool. It was, and is, a fantastic vacuum cleaner.

The 1970s started with me at eight, and ended with me at 18. We lived within walking distance of the mall, that had a Sears store. Very few people remember this, but during the bicentennial in 1976, Sears offered a red, white, and blue canister vacuum. It was the top of the line model. The canister body and lid were red with white bumper and cord. It still had the white 10 foot hose, but a blue power mate was used. It looked awesome. I couldn't afford it at the time, that would have been a lot of grass to cut. I paid attention to the Sears store because I really wanted to be a vacuum cleaner salesman "when I grew up". And I did.