Thinking about the mysterious Elux...

[vacuumboy1993]

Hey guys!
I was reading posts and looking for pictures of vintage vacuums over the forum and other websites a few days ago when I remembered about a very rare model from Electrolux...Yes, I'm talking about the Electrolux XX, the one that was sold in the early 40's. I've seen a couple of pictures of it and read a little bit of its history on Charles Richard's webpage, but I'm still so curious about this particular machine, maybe because we've never talked about it and thought that it may be interesting to discuss it here and share detailed pictures and some info of the XX.

Have a grrrreat day!

Kevin.

 

[caligula]

Hi vacuumboy1993

Here is a picture of the Electrolux XX (20). Between the models XXX and LX.

The story in a nutshell is that the model XX was to replace the XXX around Christmas 1941, but on December 7, was the attack on Pearl Harbour, and the US was plunged into war! All vacuum cleaner production was halted. Then after the war, the model XXX was put back into production. This is why there is the pre war XXX and the post war XXX. The model XX was used as back-up during the war. They are very rare and I was lucky to find one. I'll share other pictures of this later. If you want to know the history of Electrolux, let me know.

The models shown here are (from top left) Models V, X1, X11, (second shelf) XXX, XX, LX. (Third shelf) LXI, E, T. (Bottom shelf) G, L, 1205.



Alex Taber.

 

[vacman1961]

Hi Kevin, What pictures do you want to see, I will take some for you if you want?

Charlie

 

[vacuumboy1993]

Hi there!

Thanks for the info Alex. That's what it said on Charles Richard webpage more or less...I've also read that it was supposed to be a cheaper alternative of the XXX. After reading your post, it made me though what would have happened if the XX finally would have replaced the XXX, maybe the later models would have been different or Electrolux would have made more variations and updates of this model...who knows? Another thing I wonder is if it uses the same motor as the XXX (I bet it does, but I want to know for sure heheh). BTW, you have a very nice collection!

Charlie...About the pictures any detailed or close up pictures of the machine would be great, for example pictures of the different views, the bag chamber, the attachments, etc...Even if someone has the owner's manual it'd be wonderful to see!

Thanks

Kevin.

 

[rugsucker]

Mo XX and wartime

There seems to have been a similar case at Rexair(Rainbow)with an equaly little known model 3.Other wartime trivia-With material shortage there were more plastic items including a rare Elux rug nozzle.After appliance production stopped companies could offer service or preferential sales for first vacs made after war.At one time you had to turn in worn rubber belt to be allowed to purchase a new one.After the war Hoover sold vacs without the crevice tool and delivered later(much as car dealers did with spare tires).--As the war wound down the predictions were for appliances to sell like 'hotcakes'(and they did).It was probably easier for Elux and others to concentrate on the one model they knew best and postpone newer versions.--My Mo XX is missing the bag door and with no atts.As above more info would be great.

 

[caligula]

Hi vacuumboy1993

Mr. Lester and I were very good friends back in the 90's and worked together on a number of Electrolux articles. I gave him tons of mateial to use, and while he has used some of that, he dug far deeper and discovered a myriad of information. However, as he lives in Ca. and I live in Pa. we have not been in contact since 1995.

I gave you a brief history of the model XX, but here's what I wrote way back in 1979, long before the VCCC was even thought of. This is an excerp of 'The History Of The Electrolux Corporation.' Before I do however, I have to mention that Gustaf E. Lofgren was the head of the engineering department at the factory in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, and he was the man who designed a lot of attatchments and several prototypes of vacuum cleaners.

'As the electrolux factory in Sweden had turned out a new model every four of five years, Lofgren was busy perfecting his next cleaner. The model XX was slated to make it's debut for Christmas 1941. Electrolux was well into production by September, in order to get a jump on the Christmas rush. A plan that came to a screeching halt on December 7th, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor!

Overnight the country was plunged into war. Manufacturing of everything from automobiles to vacuum cleaners was halted instantly. Electrolux, like Kirby, Hoover, General Electric, Ford and other factories immediatly went into war production. So the factory now turned out generators. Motors that had been designed for the model XXX became known as "motors that fight." Before the battle was over, Electrolux and it's personnel had earneed the coveted Army/Navy E flag, as well as the praise of the nation

September 11, 1944 marked a red lettr day for Electrolux. The War Production Board allowed them to go back into limmited production of vacuum cleaners, and on November 18, Electrolux was again fully functional and they resumed production of the model XXX.

As for that stockpile of model XXs, they had not gone to waste, they served as back-up to fill the orders that came in during the war.

Now I know the next question's going to be. But if the country was at war, how could people buy an Electrolux?" Earlier in the text I'd gone into that while talking about the 'Great Deprssion,' so here's that section.

'Electrolux salesman lived by the motto "Dig More Dirt." so while the economy was at it's worst the demand for this machine was overwhelming and sales skyrocketed. Customers who could not pay because the banks were closed could still purchase these cleaners. Moretorium checks were accepted so the customer could pay when the country was solvent again.'

As for the Electrolux XXX it ran from December 1937 to the end of 1955, or early 56 when the model E was introduced. In 1952 the model LX was the big seller and the XXX became the lower priced model.

If you have any more questions just ask.