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