Vacuum Cleaner Collectors Group Convention

[electrolux137]

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I'm not blowing anybody's good times nor am I raining on their parade.


 


Facts Are Facts. There's nothing "theoretical" about facts.


 


Some of us care enough about the factual history of vacuum cleaners to point out discrepancies and inaccuracies in companies' promotional efforts. My "mugs and t-shirts" comment was a bit snarky, granted, but that's just my writing style. I should have known someone would pull it out of context and make a big deal about it.


 


As you say, "Life Goes On."


 

 

[filterqueenman]

Yep

You say Snarky I say nasty.... How did I take your SNARKY comment out of context...it was Snarky you admit it!  As I said Life goes on - I love your passion I do not like your overtones.  Shame you have a lot to share but honestly a total turn off when you add as you say Snarky comments!!!!


 


 

 

[electrolux137]

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Who's beating a dead horse now? Time to move on.


 


 

 

[kevin]

I can see valid points from both sides of the aisle.

Technically speaking Tom is correct in that the first Kirby cleaner was not manufactured in 1914.

Generally speaking Alex is correct that Kirby is going back to its roots (the initial developments of what would become Kirby cleaners) by celebrating its hundredth in 2014.

The decision to mark 1914 as the company's beginning was made prior to its 50th in 1964, so Kirby's old regime was responsible; not recent management.

Jimmy raises some good points, too, about how other companies have marked their beginnings not necessarily by their popular products or by the first product branded with the company name but by developments which led to the product or name.

Someone even pointed out in another thread that Electrolux USA was a division of AB Electrolux, so technically its claim that Electrolux is 90 years old is incorrect (one could correctly say that Aerus/Electrolux USA is 90). AB Lux, the company that made possible the manufacture of Axel Wenner-Gren's 1912 Model I vacuum cleaner, had actually begun in 1901 by selling kerosene lamps. The merger of AB Elektron's Elektromekaniska, both owned by Wenner-Gren, and AB Lux occurred in 1919 at which time the Electro-lux name was born (the hyphen being omitted sometime later).

So saying that Aerus is the "original Electrolux" is untrue. The original Electrolux is a Swedish product that began prior to the 1924 start of the USA division. A more accurate claim, then, would be to state that Aerus was the manufacturer of the popular Model XXX, Model G, and Ultralux models (among others)--or that Aerus continues the manufacture of products established by Electrolux USA in 1924. Do I think it's worth arguing over? No. I can simply disagree with someone who says Aerus is the original Electrolux and move forward.

That being said, I think this forum is at its best when persons are humble enough to know that no one has all the answers, so sharing our knowledge and opinions is valuable to help us all grow. Correspondingly, we need to respectfully point out facts we have learned without being confrontational or condescending. Many on this forum (albeit not all) have a passion for collecting vacuum cleaners & vacuum cleaner accessories and shampooers/scrubbers/buffers. That passion can either divide or unite--it's up to each contributor.

 

[filterqueenman]

Kevin

Simply excellent response!!!!!!!!! 

 

[kevin]

Thanks, Doug. I appreciate that as I took a great deal of time putting it together.

 

[super-sweeper]

Tom,

That humble gathering of vacuum collector friends looks like FUN! One day I'm making the trip to St.James!

I agree with you about the 1919 start date of Jim Kirby's vacuum manufacturing career with Scott & Fetzer, Kirby is likely not celebrating KIRBY'S 100th, but rather there parent company, Scott & Fetzer. Kirby has had 2014 set in stone since 1964, when the all-new Dual-Speed 50th anniversary model was launched (including special 1964 lighted headlamp lens).

 

[ohiovac]

I have been to the vacuum museum and cherish my time there and the friends I have made. I also enjoyed the Kirby celebration and how all the companies treated us and fed us and were so nice. I am glad there are companies such as Kirby, Filter Queen, and Tacony that manufacture in the USA! I am even happier that I have been in all of those factories. . I am attaching some of the photos I took of the fun weekend.

 

[dysonman1]

Missy Mae, sleeping in her chair about 10 minutes after the last person left my house after the Barbecue to end the Vacuum Cleaner Collectors Group Convention. She's just a year and a half old, really still a puppy, and all the excitement got to her. I can't begin to imagine what she'll be like next year.

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

So cute and so tired

 

[jaker15]

Okay...

I just have to nit-pick here, I didn't attend any of these conventions, nor did I visit any collector's house, but I still feel like I need to say something. Tom, you are right in the fact that all companies use some sort of "marketing gimmick" at one time or another. What company doesn't do that? I'd go so far as to say that you are biased when it comes to brands, and I don't blame you for being biased towards your own company, but you don't get to bash the others. I am 99% certain that you use marketing tactics in your company. There's nothing wrong with that, but you cannot criticize other companies when you're doing the exact same thing. Nobody knows it all, some know more than others, but you're being unfair and hypocritical. There's nothing wrong with Rainbow or Filter Queen. Hell, I don't even like using Tacony machines! Have you seen the reliability ratings? You can't honestly say that they're 100% American-Made when half the parts are from China.

Just for the record, I am a Kirby fan. I have had no issues with any of mine. I don't care if the company "lies to the customers". They've done me no wrong. Good day to you, sir.

 

[jaker15]

to add to my last reply

I just love how Tom makes all these snippy comments and then 5 minutes later he acts as though nothing happens. Don't act all innocent, everyone saw you do it. You can be better than that.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

I would've loved to see the 1980 Rainbow D3 cleaners with what may be the final version of the R-1024 power nozzle (type G-H).

~Ben

 

[dysonman1]

For the record Jacker15

I didn't bash a vacuum cleaner. Remember, I have one of every model Kirby and I do like them. I don't like the fact that they are saying it's the 100th anniversary of KIRBY. It is not.

Tacony's marketing department only has to sell the machines to the dealers. They are not involved, other than in making the brochures, with how the machines are sold. The phrase "half the parts are Chinese" is just stupid. Unless and until you go through the factory and see what is actually made here, you'll never know.
Remember, Kirby doesn't use all American-Made parts. It's a global world. If you think their cords and bags are made in the USA, think again.

While I can fight with the best of them, I'm not here to fight with anyone. It makes no difference to me if you or anyone visits the Vacuum Museum. I love coming to work every day, and I enjoy showing the Museum to the general public. They are amazed, grateful, appreciative of my knowledge and time, and thank me for a guided tour. I realize how lucky I am to get paid very well for doing something I love.

 

[kloveland]

Kirby outer bags

The VCCC saw the bags being sewn together at Cleveland Wood Products. The bags are made here.

 

[dysonman1]

Kenny: The disposable bags.

 

[dysonman1]

Arrived too late for the convention

The Royal power tank, with the Royal – built. Power Nozzle.

 

[gsheen]

That is a very nice Royal Tom.


 


I have a "thing " for cylindrical vacuums with wheels ever since I saw a BVC been used to clean a school I was at years ago.


Still Hunting for that BVC  

 

[jaker15]

Who in the heck

is Jacker? Check your spelling on that one.

As for reliability, my friend had a Riccar Radiance she paid a lot of money for, and she hated it. Something broke on it regularly, and she had spent almost as much on repairs as she paid for the vacuum. It didn't clean worth a damn, and was ridiculously heavy. Her Royal, however, was magnificent. It did sit in her garage for a long time, because it didn't work and the vac shop told her it needed a new motor. I asked her about it, and she said I could take it home and see if I could fix it. It would turn on, but the motor did not turn. I thought that it might just need oil, so I took it inside, and felt around in the fan housing to see if anything was out of the ordinary. I discovered a broken belt lodged between the fan and housing. I pulled it out using needle-nose pliers, and lo and behold, the Royal was alive. It actually kind of startled me when it turned on, I didn't know how loud it would be. lol. I then re-installed the belt that was on the roller, and went to get Kim, the owner. She didn't believe me at first that I fixed it, but I said come over and test it out yourself. It worked so well, she was almost in tears. I made her so happy. She did take it into the shop for a tune-up, and it works like new. The Riccar has since sat in the back of the closet, ironically, collecting dust. Her exact words were "I hate that plastic thing. It doesn't clean worth a dang and is too heavy to push. It breaks without any use whatsoever." That Royal, however, propelled itself across the carpet like it was possessed.

 

[dysonman1]

Why are you commenting on my thread? You're not a part of my vacuum collectors club, I do not know you, and this thread is nothing about Riccar or simplicity reliability. Do not try to bait me into arguing with a child. I refuse. This thread is about a convention of vacuum cleaner collectors who came to the museum.

 

[dysonman1]

Because Donnie was such a good sport when dealing with all of my friends who came to the vacuum cleaner collectors convention, I gave him a brand-new Maytag M 500. He says he loves it.

 

[singingrainbow]

Looks like a very fun time was had by all, I would love to visit someday!
Scott

 

[dysonman1]

Scott, even though I have never met you in person, from what I understand you are a very intelligent young man. Would love to meet you one day and show you around the museum.