Compiled from available information online and in a parts booklet:
1878 Edison Electric Illuminating Company of New York founded by Thomas Edison
April 24, 1889 Edison General Electric Company is incorporated uniting the stocks of three Edison manufacturing companies: Edison Machine Works, Edison Lamp Company, and Bergmann & Company.
April 15, 1892 The company merges with Thomson-Houston Electric Company and becomes General Electric Company.
1909 - Electric Vacuum Cleaner Company founded by brothers Clarence George Frantz (1888-1981), Walter August Frantz (1890-1974), and Edward Lewis Frantz (1882-1971), and James Blaine Kirby at Cleveland, Ohio
October 19, 1910 - Frantz Premier Company, a division of the Electric Vacuum Cleaner Company, Inc., is incorporated with offices at 514 Columbia Building and a factory in the Commercial Building. Officers are Charles A. Kelp, president; E.L. Frantz, manager; F. J. Miller, treasurer; R. E. Hyde, secretary
1910 - first successful upright electric cleaner designed by James Kirby and named “Frantz”
1912 - Frantz-Premier upright vacuum cleaner
1912 - G-E contracts with EVCC to produce its upright vacuum cleaners
1918 - Hughes Electric Lighting Company, Hotpoint Electric Heating Company and the heating device section of the General Electric Company merge to form Edison General Electric Appliance Company, Inc. (George A. Hughes is considered the father of the electric range).
March 8, 1919 - Electric Vacuum Cleaner Company, Inc. purchases Frantz Premier Co. and the Premier Vacuum Cleaner Co., Ltd., Canada, and is given charge of the Edison Appliance vacuum cleaner department. General Electric is the majority stockholder. The company is incorporated on November 8, 1919. The entity becomes the Premier Vacuum Cleaner Division of the EVCC.
1920-41 - Both Premier and G-E brands produced in similar designs
Feb 12, 1923 - Premier Vacuum Cleaner Co., Ltd. CA incorporated
1926 - The first G-E-branded vacuum cleaner, model 69, rolls off the assembly line.
1929 - Floor Polisher brush roll introduced with Model 53
1940 - G-E’s Air-Flo tank-type cleaner, model AVT-60, is offered for the first time (introduced in Canada in 1937).
Oct. 31, 1945 - G-E acquires all assets of Electric Vacuum Cleaner Company; identical models labeled both G-E and Premier are produced from this time for about five years.
1947 - Two Industrial-Commercial canister models become available: 184-AWP Wet/Dry Pickup & 175-A Furnace Cleaner.
1948 - The Electric Vacuum Cleaner Division replaces the former name.
c.1949 - Premier-labeled vacuum cleaners are discontinued and only the G-E label is used
1951 - The Model AVC-815 Swivel-Top, G-E’s first canister-type cleaner (sans wheels) debuts.
1952 - The Vacuum Cleaner Department is the new entity of the Small Appliances Division.
March 1953- Premier Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, acquires the tools and dies and patent license rights for G-E’s industrial floor care appliances.
1955 - Model R-1 Roll-Easy canister-type with 12-inch side wheels introduced.
1955 - The Vacuum Cleaner Department becomes part of the Housewares (and Radio Receiver) Division.
c.1957-The first floor polisher-scrubber in 1957, model FP-1, is launched.
1958 - Model C-7 Swivel-Top with Automatic Cord-Reel and detachable tool caddy makes its first appearance
1959 - Twin Power upright, model U-1, is first produced
1961 - Some Premier-G-E brand floor polishers, canister-type and upright vacuum cleaners are produced for several years.
c.1962 - G-E’s floor care products are now part of the Housewares and Commercial Equipment Division.
1962 - Floor Washer-Dryer canister attachment, model SC-1, debuts
1962 - The new Twin Power upright vacuum cleaner, model U-5, makes is premier.
1963 - The Canister-Upright (Swivel-Top with power head), model C-100, takes the stage.
1963 - The economy Twin Power upright vacuum cleaner sans headlight, model U-4, is introduced.
1964 - The model U-7, Twin power upright vacuum cleaner with headlight and cord reel, debuts.
1964 - Introduction of Power Cleaner, model MV-1, portable
1965 - G-E purchases the former Landers, Frary & Clark Co. plant in New Britain, Conn.
1967 - Power Cleaner tank-type with top tool tray presented; - VT-1 Cord Wrap VT-2 Cord Reel (later VT-3 with Cord Reel and wood grained trim)
1967 - Electric Sweeper, model SV-1, is launched.
1968 - The Central Vacuum System, model VS-600, enters the market.
1969 - G-E closes its New Britain plant.
1969 - The Vacuum Cleaner Department is now part of the Portable Appliances Department of the Housewares Division.
1970 - The Lightweight upright vacuum, model U-8, is introduced.
1972 - G-E closes its vacuum cleaner plant by April 1. A new firm, Premier Electric Company, is formed and purchases the assets of the former division.
1974 - The Premier Vac-Broom/Sweeper Vac SB-1 (Shetland/Lewyt rebrand?) is first marketed.
c.1976 - Powerhead by Hoover added to some canisters
1982 - Premier Electric is acquired by Black and Decker Corporation. Premier parts are made for a few years afterward.
1984 - G-E small appliance division is acquired by Black and Decker Corporation.
Resource: https://mycompanies.fandom.com/wiki/Electric_Vacuum_Cleaner_Company
Model Lists
Premier Brand
During the early years of the brush roll feature, two cleaners were offered: suction-driven and motor-driven. “The Duplex of the Premier” as the first ad in 1922 stated became the “Premier Duplex”, in reference to the “double action power plant” of the suction and motor-driven brush models .
The earliest ad located featuring a disposable bag was in 1946 for the model PR-21.
Standard Floor-Type Models
Junior Floor-Type Models
G-E Brand
Floor Type/Upright Cleaner Models
Attachment Set Models
G-E & Premier Swivel-Top photos and model timeline: https://vacuumland.org/threads/ge-swivel-top-canister-when-was-it-made.44650/
G-E & Premier U-Series upright photos and model timeline: https://vacuumland.org/threads/mid-60s-ge-upright-information.44312/
US & CA G-E Floor Polisher & Shampoo-Polisher photos and model timelines: https://vacuumland.org/threads/general-electric-floor-scrubber-polisher.45208/
1878 Edison Electric Illuminating Company of New York founded by Thomas Edison
April 24, 1889 Edison General Electric Company is incorporated uniting the stocks of three Edison manufacturing companies: Edison Machine Works, Edison Lamp Company, and Bergmann & Company.
April 15, 1892 The company merges with Thomson-Houston Electric Company and becomes General Electric Company.
1909 - Electric Vacuum Cleaner Company founded by brothers Clarence George Frantz (1888-1981), Walter August Frantz (1890-1974), and Edward Lewis Frantz (1882-1971), and James Blaine Kirby at Cleveland, Ohio
October 19, 1910 - Frantz Premier Company, a division of the Electric Vacuum Cleaner Company, Inc., is incorporated with offices at 514 Columbia Building and a factory in the Commercial Building. Officers are Charles A. Kelp, president; E.L. Frantz, manager; F. J. Miller, treasurer; R. E. Hyde, secretary
1910 - first successful upright electric cleaner designed by James Kirby and named “Frantz”
1912 - Frantz-Premier upright vacuum cleaner
1912 - G-E contracts with EVCC to produce its upright vacuum cleaners
1918 - Hughes Electric Lighting Company, Hotpoint Electric Heating Company and the heating device section of the General Electric Company merge to form Edison General Electric Appliance Company, Inc. (George A. Hughes is considered the father of the electric range).
March 8, 1919 - Electric Vacuum Cleaner Company, Inc. purchases Frantz Premier Co. and the Premier Vacuum Cleaner Co., Ltd., Canada, and is given charge of the Edison Appliance vacuum cleaner department. General Electric is the majority stockholder. The company is incorporated on November 8, 1919. The entity becomes the Premier Vacuum Cleaner Division of the EVCC.
1920-41 - Both Premier and G-E brands produced in similar designs
Feb 12, 1923 - Premier Vacuum Cleaner Co., Ltd. CA incorporated
1926 - The first G-E-branded vacuum cleaner, model 69, rolls off the assembly line.
1929 - Floor Polisher brush roll introduced with Model 53
1940 - G-E’s Air-Flo tank-type cleaner, model AVT-60, is offered for the first time (introduced in Canada in 1937).
Oct. 31, 1945 - G-E acquires all assets of Electric Vacuum Cleaner Company; identical models labeled both G-E and Premier are produced from this time for about five years.
1947 - Two Industrial-Commercial canister models become available: 184-AWP Wet/Dry Pickup & 175-A Furnace Cleaner.
1948 - The Electric Vacuum Cleaner Division replaces the former name.
c.1949 - Premier-labeled vacuum cleaners are discontinued and only the G-E label is used
1951 - The Model AVC-815 Swivel-Top, G-E’s first canister-type cleaner (sans wheels) debuts.
1952 - The Vacuum Cleaner Department is the new entity of the Small Appliances Division.
March 1953- Premier Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, acquires the tools and dies and patent license rights for G-E’s industrial floor care appliances.
1955 - Model R-1 Roll-Easy canister-type with 12-inch side wheels introduced.
1955 - The Vacuum Cleaner Department becomes part of the Housewares (and Radio Receiver) Division.
c.1957-The first floor polisher-scrubber in 1957, model FP-1, is launched.
1958 - Model C-7 Swivel-Top with Automatic Cord-Reel and detachable tool caddy makes its first appearance
1959 - Twin Power upright, model U-1, is first produced
1961 - Some Premier-G-E brand floor polishers, canister-type and upright vacuum cleaners are produced for several years.
c.1962 - G-E’s floor care products are now part of the Housewares and Commercial Equipment Division.
1962 - Floor Washer-Dryer canister attachment, model SC-1, debuts
1962 - The new Twin Power upright vacuum cleaner, model U-5, makes is premier.
1963 - The Canister-Upright (Swivel-Top with power head), model C-100, takes the stage.
1963 - The economy Twin Power upright vacuum cleaner sans headlight, model U-4, is introduced.
1964 - The model U-7, Twin power upright vacuum cleaner with headlight and cord reel, debuts.
1964 - Introduction of Power Cleaner, model MV-1, portable
1965 - G-E purchases the former Landers, Frary & Clark Co. plant in New Britain, Conn.
1967 - Power Cleaner tank-type with top tool tray presented; - VT-1 Cord Wrap VT-2 Cord Reel (later VT-3 with Cord Reel and wood grained trim)
1967 - Electric Sweeper, model SV-1, is launched.
1968 - The Central Vacuum System, model VS-600, enters the market.
1969 - G-E closes its New Britain plant.
1969 - The Vacuum Cleaner Department is now part of the Portable Appliances Department of the Housewares Division.
1970 - The Lightweight upright vacuum, model U-8, is introduced.
1972 - G-E closes its vacuum cleaner plant by April 1. A new firm, Premier Electric Company, is formed and purchases the assets of the former division.
1974 - The Premier Vac-Broom/Sweeper Vac SB-1 (Shetland/Lewyt rebrand?) is first marketed.
c.1976 - Powerhead by Hoover added to some canisters
1982 - Premier Electric is acquired by Black and Decker Corporation. Premier parts are made for a few years afterward.
1984 - G-E small appliance division is acquired by Black and Decker Corporation.
Resource: https://mycompanies.fandom.com/wiki/Electric_Vacuum_Cleaner_Company
Model Lists
Premier Brand
During the early years of the brush roll feature, two cleaners were offered: suction-driven and motor-driven. “The Duplex of the Premier” as the first ad in 1922 stated became the “Premier Duplex”, in reference to the “double action power plant” of the suction and motor-driven brush models .
The earliest ad located featuring a disposable bag was in 1946 for the model PR-21.
Standard Floor-Type Models
- A, B, C, D, E Electric Suction Cleaner -- nicknamed “Broomstick” designed by Jim Kirby--1910-c.1918
- 8, 2-speed
- 9, 2-speed
- PR-12 1945--Duplex with Rug Meter (later named Matho-Matic--automatically-adjusting nozzle)
- PR-19 1920--2 brushes: soft bristle and flexible rubber
- PR-37 1936--Duplex (G-E counterpart AV-1)
- PR-20 Duplex, 325-watts, revolving brush, 2-speed--1939
- PR-21 Vibra-Sweep with Duo-Matic nozzle, 2-speed, disposable bag--1938
- PR-23 1948--Rug Meter
- PR-30--1939
- PR-40
- PR-41 1940 Crackle Green finish, sold in combination with Handy-Vac 51
- PR-47 1940
- PR-48
- PR-51 1940 Handy-Vac, Crackle Green finish, sold in combination with model 41 upright.
- PR-53 Duplex, steel handle--1926
- ? *Liberty, friction-driven brush--1921
- PR-57 Magic, stationary brush--1926
- PR-88
- PR-99 1930--Premier Master, revolving brush, 310-watts
- PR-107 Grand - 2-speed, backward-revolving brush, cushioned power--1932 (identical to G-E 111)
- PR-109 1939 (Canada line ad)
- PR-154
- PR-155
Junior Floor-Type Models
- PD-74 1928
- PD-98 1930--revolving brush, 210-watts
- PD-133
- PD-167
- PD-168
- PD-175, -175A 1948
- PR-71 1938--Vac-Kit
- PR-80 1941--Aire-Matic straight suction
- PR-82 1948--Aire-Matic straight suction with disposable bag
- 200 1937--Magic-Aire
- PR-34 Spic-Span
- PR-50 Pic-Up 1928--revolving brush
- PR-52 Pic-Up
- PR-72 Pic-Up
- PR-86 1929--Spic-Span, straight suction
- PR-97 1930--Spic-Span, 175-watts
- PR-147 Pic-Up
G-E Brand
Floor Type/Upright Cleaner Models
- 69 (full-size) 1926
- 75, 75A (junior) 1928
- 89 stationary brush - detachable
- 90 stationary brush - detachable
- 95, 95A
- 103
- 108
- 111, -111A (identical to Premier Grand)
- AV-1 1936, revolving brush
- AV-2 1939
- AV-3 1936, straight suction
- AV-4
- AVF-5 1938-
- AVF-6
- AVF-7
- AVF-8
- AVF-9
- AVF-10
- AVF-11
- AVF-12
- AVF-14
- AVF-15 1941
- AV-16 310-watts
- AVF-17
- AVF-17S Semi-Deluxe 1948
- AVF-18
- AVF-19 1948
- AVF-19A 1948
- AVF-19AB 1948
- AVF-19AC, Deluxe 2-speed motor 1950
- AVF-25 1941
- AVF-26 1946
- AVF-28 1948
- AVF-55 1942
- AVF-101
- AVF-178
- AVF-701
- AVF-801 1950
- AVF-804
- AVF-807
- AVF-812 1950
Attachment Set Models
- AVA-51 7-piece
- AVA-180 10-piece
- AVA-808 8-piece, 1950
- AVH-45, sold in combination with AVF-25
- AVH-85, stationary brush
- AVT-60 1940
- AVT-701 - Airflo 1942
- AVT-150 Airflo 1939-
- AVT-160A, (160B) Tidy 1948
- AVT-170 Deluxe 1948
- AVT-172 Airflo 1948 w/throw-away bag
- AVT-173 Airflo 1950 w/throw-away bag
- AVT-811 1950
- AVT-813 1952
G-E & Premier Swivel-Top photos and model timeline: https://vacuumland.org/threads/ge-swivel-top-canister-when-was-it-made.44650/
G-E & Premier U-Series upright photos and model timeline: https://vacuumland.org/threads/mid-60s-ge-upright-information.44312/
US & CA G-E Floor Polisher & Shampoo-Polisher photos and model timelines: https://vacuumland.org/threads/general-electric-floor-scrubber-polisher.45208/
Attachments
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