The Kirby Story
- Thread starter g3
- Start date
Thanks for taking the time to post these. It looks like a good read.
Kirby story
Although I don't have the booklet "The Kirby Story," I do have much of this information.
In 1975 I bought a Kirby Classic Omega after reading Lowell Thomas's booklet giving the story of Jim Kirby and Scott-Fetzer.
Several years ago I assembled quite a bit of information, including his obituary, much of which I got from the archives of the "Cleveland Plain Dealer" newspaper, about Jim Kirby and his association with other early vacuum cleaners, such as the Franz Premier and the Royal. I hope to write an article in the near future based on the information I've assembled.
My father and I were both named Jim Kirby--Senior and Junior; and so I am quite interested in facts about James B. Kirby. My father had very similar aptitudes and interests to those of James B. Kirby, was of similar Scotch descent, was close in age to him, and resembled him somewhat in appearance. My father was a watch and clock maker but was also quite interested in and good with many electrical and mechanical items and invented a speed detection machine while working in the time service department of a large railroad.
Jim Kirby, Emporia, KS
Although I don't have the booklet "The Kirby Story," I do have much of this information.
In 1975 I bought a Kirby Classic Omega after reading Lowell Thomas's booklet giving the story of Jim Kirby and Scott-Fetzer.
Several years ago I assembled quite a bit of information, including his obituary, much of which I got from the archives of the "Cleveland Plain Dealer" newspaper, about Jim Kirby and his association with other early vacuum cleaners, such as the Franz Premier and the Royal. I hope to write an article in the near future based on the information I've assembled.
My father and I were both named Jim Kirby--Senior and Junior; and so I am quite interested in facts about James B. Kirby. My father had very similar aptitudes and interests to those of James B. Kirby, was of similar Scotch descent, was close in age to him, and resembled him somewhat in appearance. My father was a watch and clock maker but was also quite interested in and good with many electrical and mechanical items and invented a speed detection machine while working in the time service department of a large railroad.
Jim Kirby, Emporia, KS
i have it...when i toured the kirby factory they gave me that
kirbymodel2c
Well-known member
I have to!
They posted it to me free with a cap and other bits
)
They posted it to me free with a cap and other bits
)normvac
Well-known member
KIrby!
My top of the list vacuum. I have been wishing that we all could get a tour together in August, after the convention in
North Canton to go to West cleveland and get a tour of the Kirby plant there. Anyone else interested ?
I have driven by it and always wanted a tour. Maybe we could get a new Kirby for the club, like electrolux did several years back, you just never know!
Norm
My top of the list vacuum. I have been wishing that we all could get a tour together in August, after the convention in
North Canton to go to West cleveland and get a tour of the Kirby plant there. Anyone else interested ?
I have driven by it and always wanted a tour. Maybe we could get a new Kirby for the club, like electrolux did several years back, you just never know!
Norm
Have the same book-Got mine when I bought my Diamond G I beleive-The Kirby salesperson gave me one.
Norm, I am glad that you mentioned this. We have been talking about just such a tour either before or after the convention. I contacted Kirby last week, Wednesday I believe by email asking if such a tour would be possible and haven't heard back from them yet. We will keep you posted. Terry
Had a Kirby tour before 2000 convention
Club members who wished to toured the Kirby factory before the last convention in North Canton, OH, which, I believe, was in 2000. The Kirby tour was on Wednesday, the day before the convention began. Some of us then drove over to Toledo to visit Club Member Don O'Connor's vac store and see his collection. Recently, however, I believe he sold his collection to a well known collector who is no longer a VCCC member.
Our contact at Kirby, who set up the tour for us, was Greg M. Koenig, Director of Sales Administration and his secretary. His telephone no. is 216-528-6210, and his e-mail is [email protected] Fax no. is 216-228-9231. I've had contact with him by phone and e-mail since the 2000 convention, and he has been responsive and helpful. He would remember our group from the previous tour.
While at the Kirby factory, we ate in the Kirby Kafe, which is part of the world headquarters.
Jim Kirby, Kansas
Club members who wished to toured the Kirby factory before the last convention in North Canton, OH, which, I believe, was in 2000. The Kirby tour was on Wednesday, the day before the convention began. Some of us then drove over to Toledo to visit Club Member Don O'Connor's vac store and see his collection. Recently, however, I believe he sold his collection to a well known collector who is no longer a VCCC member.
Our contact at Kirby, who set up the tour for us, was Greg M. Koenig, Director of Sales Administration and his secretary. His telephone no. is 216-528-6210, and his e-mail is [email protected] Fax no. is 216-228-9231. I've had contact with him by phone and e-mail since the 2000 convention, and he has been responsive and helpful. He would remember our group from the previous tour.
While at the Kirby factory, we ate in the Kirby Kafe, which is part of the world headquarters.
Jim Kirby, Kansas
Corrections
Two corrections to my previous post:
1. Don O'Connor is in Youngstown, not Toledo. He also has a
user car lot and collects vintage Oldsmobiles. His vac
store is called O'Connor's. His father was a Eureka
dealer in the 1930's.
2. I believe the year was 1999, not 2000, for the previous
Kirby factory tour.
Two corrections to my previous post:
1. Don O'Connor is in Youngstown, not Toledo. He also has a
user car lot and collects vintage Oldsmobiles. His vac
store is called O'Connor's. His father was a Eureka
dealer in the 1930's.
2. I believe the year was 1999, not 2000, for the previous
Kirby factory tour.
