Universal Model 53 - for Crevicetool

[portable]

OK Rick...just for you. I'm not sure of the date of this upright....I'm going to guess and say late 20s or early 30s.
Here's the cover.....

 

[portable]

Oops...I meant Model 58....

And getta load of Tilly...isn't she cute? That bag looks like it is going to explode, though....

 

[portable]

Third Page, Model 58

3rd page

 

[portable]

4th page

Onward...upward.... the money shot

 

[portable]

and finally.....

the last page. Happy New (many) vacuums, Rick. Get that garage straightened up....

 

[crevicetool]

How wonderful John!!!

Thank you ever so much. I LOVE the language back then "imprisons every particle". They are CLOSE to infringing on Hoover's beats, as it sweeps, as it cleans, with the triple action - vibrating, whisking, sucking. This is really fun!

From the looks of the twisted cord, yeah - mid ? to late 1920's ?

Thank you again!
Rick

 

[portable]

That flapper outfit -

is a dead giveaway!

 

[crevicetool]

This is about the third time I've read this brochure now

The "plug" screws into a light fixture. You can see it on the wrapped up cord!


I want one of these units.

Tilly isn't quite the cat's meow....she doesn't have those waist length beads!

23 skiddoo!!!

Rick

 

[luxg]

John, thanks so much for posting that ad! Love the pictures and the wording. Would the attachments connected to the front of the cleaner? Terry

 

[normvac]

Apex

I remember back in the day (probably 1950,before I went to school) A neighbor had not one but 2 of what looked to be the same upright vacuum. Grandma had come to live with them and had the same machine. So Grandma's was upstairs, and the other was in the the downstairs closet. I remember the single
swivel wheel on the back. This was a few years before I had ever seen A Eureka, 9 or 11 with the single swivel wheel in the back. Of course that was the fasinating difference from
mother's 1920's coffee can Hoover. The neighbors had the Apex
name on it. I know for sure, as I had a call from the grandma when I was probably 11 or 12. Asked If I would come help her move some furniture and vacuum. So I finally got to use the vacuum and it did say Apex. There was one major difference that was the switch was on the front of the handle. A rocker
switch like some of the 30's, 40's and even 50's Apex uprights that I have seen since. Like the one with the handle that turns!
Just thought I would share that and spike the interest. Especially since I see this Universal was made in Scranton Pa. ? As Apex was made in Cleveland or Sandusky Ohio, not sure where now.
Norm

 

[akabent]

Absolutely Wonderful ad

Thanks for sharing that with us!! The old ads are such fun to look at and to help trace vacuum history!
RB

 

[ohio_tuec]

Indeed they are. I have one of these cleaners badged under the "Whirlwind" name. It has a cloth covered cord, alas no socket plug at the end though. Yes, the attachments connected at the front of the cleaner by removing the small metal plate. Ball bearing were a real improvement for Universal. I also have its straight-suction predecessor. At that time they used zinc bearings which sometimes had a tendency to swell and seize the motor. You would think they would have used sleeve bearings later on as a cost-cutting touch.

 

[akabent]

"Vibrating, Whisking, Sucking"....

Hmmmm Just doesn't have that same rhythm as "It Beats as it Sweeps as it Cleans!"
Hard to imagine the former as their slogan!
Maybe that's the other reason Hoover became number one!
RB

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Lackawanna Ave in SCRANTON

is about 20 minutes from me. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm