vacerator
Well-known member
Were women considered subservient back then? Had my dad given my mom a vacuum for Christmas, she'd have put his head in a jar.
Vacuum of the day---Hoover
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pinkge
Well-known member
NO women...
were not that subservient then.Women wanted well built quality appliances,that made there lives easier to keep a home in order.So,the manufacturers marketed the wares,to appeal to the man during holidays that women wanted a vacuum,washer,etc.For,the man who was clueless about gifts for his wife.The majority would have said,Oh hell NO!
were not that subservient then.Women wanted well built quality appliances,that made there lives easier to keep a home in order.So,the manufacturers marketed the wares,to appeal to the man during holidays that women wanted a vacuum,washer,etc.For,the man who was clueless about gifts for his wife.The majority would have said,Oh hell NO!
True.
The same goes for men and tools. I remember hearing women say, "Let's get Daddy a sander, etc."
I worked in a department store for a while. It was crazy the things I heard.
Some women loved getting appliances like that.
When my aunt was an executive for New York Telephone, she'd say that every time a woman there got married, they'd all get together and buy her a Hoover vacuum cleaner and deluxe attachments. It got to the point where they'd expect it. And, at the time, it was a great gift to get.
The same goes for men and tools. I remember hearing women say, "Let's get Daddy a sander, etc."
I worked in a department store for a while. It was crazy the things I heard.
Some women loved getting appliances like that.
When my aunt was an executive for New York Telephone, she'd say that every time a woman there got married, they'd all get together and buy her a Hoover vacuum cleaner and deluxe attachments. It got to the point where they'd expect it. And, at the time, it was a great gift to get.
kirbysthebest
Well-known member
A vacuum is not a bad gift
I remember when growing up, we couldn't afford to just purchase something we wanted when we wanted. It was usually Christmas, Mother's day or the such when something appliance wise could be justified.
Mom got a blender once for Mother's day--Yes, John it was a Hoover, I believe it cost $16 at the time. I remember the electric frying pan was Christmas. Our first Microwave was a family gift that Christmas where all the family agreed to forgo a present to get the Microwave for everyone.
I remember when growing up, we couldn't afford to just purchase something we wanted when we wanted. It was usually Christmas, Mother's day or the such when something appliance wise could be justified.
Mom got a blender once for Mother's day--Yes, John it was a Hoover, I believe it cost $16 at the time. I remember the electric frying pan was Christmas. Our first Microwave was a family gift that Christmas where all the family agreed to forgo a present to get the Microwave for everyone.
vintagerepairer
Well-known member
By today's standards and indeed for the best part of the last 30 years or more, it is not the "done" thing to buy appliances for a woman, however, as has been said already, at the time it was most welcome. Immediately after the 2nd World War, in the UK married women were not supposed to go to work as jobs were potentially ring-fenced for those who had lost their husbands in the war and who were seen to be needing the job. So a woman's job was very much to run the home. As well as this, servants were few & far between, meaning that well-to-do women had to do their own work too. That's how it was. So to be gifted an expensive appliance back in the day was not quite the drama it would be in 2016.
dysonman1
Well-known member
Can you imagine what it was like for the first vacuum salesmen in 1910? It took a very special woman with a very unique relationship with her husband, to buy a vacuum cleaner. First, she didn't know what a vacuum cleaner even was, until the salesman showed up at her door. Second, she would have been HORRIFIED at the amount of dirt it removed from her 'clean' rugs. Third, she probably couldn't call her husband to ask permission to buy a vacuum, (he wouldn't know what one was either). The salesman wasn't waiting around till the husband came home, if the housewife said "no" he moved on to the next house.
To say to the salesman "I'll take it", was a rare day. All she could do was sign the purchase order, and the bill was sent to her husband. But, when he got home, she had to tell him what she did. Can you imagine the argument that entailed? The Hoover, with tools, in 1910, was $85. More than a range, a sewing machine, and a third the price of a car. She didn't have any income herself, and had no checks. He had thirty days to pay the bill. She had thirty days to 'encourage' him to pay it. Again, a unique relationship 'coaxed' the money out of him.
That's one of the reasons it took SO LONG for vacuum cleaners to 'catch on' with the public.
To say to the salesman "I'll take it", was a rare day. All she could do was sign the purchase order, and the bill was sent to her husband. But, when he got home, she had to tell him what she did. Can you imagine the argument that entailed? The Hoover, with tools, in 1910, was $85. More than a range, a sewing machine, and a third the price of a car. She didn't have any income herself, and had no checks. He had thirty days to pay the bill. She had thirty days to 'encourage' him to pay it. Again, a unique relationship 'coaxed' the money out of him.
That's one of the reasons it took SO LONG for vacuum cleaners to 'catch on' with the public.
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sebo_fan
Well-known member
It took a very special woman to live off some portion of her hubby's money and see it through with supplying three meals a day, cooking and cleaning, pressing and washing. Not to mention bringing up a family.
kirbysthebest
Well-known member
I remember when salesmen used to come around. They either came about dinner time, knocking on the door when "the man of the house' would be home. Or they would come during the day and ask to make an appointment for later in the evening when "the man of the house was there."
Now, rarely do you see a salesperson in a neighborhood during the day, as most everyone works days. Though I don't see vacuum sales anymore, the window and siding people practically wear out the door bell around dinnertime. . Just because I live in an 80 year old house, you can tell from the street that it has new siding. Opps--sorry rant. Now they ask "Are you the decision maker of the house." I answer "No" and call the dog to the door.
Vacuum cleaners, the encyclopedia salesmen used to roam the streets pretty often. Amusing since World Book Encyclopedia was owned by Kirby, or Scott Fitzer. My mom said that Garbage disposals were another thing that were home demonstrated back in the day, along with cookware, sewing machines, and other things for the home that the housewife, home without a car, would not have the chance to see in the stores.
This is why the Sear's store was such a blessing. Saturday shopping, husband gets a new water hose, wife gets to look at the latest in home accessories, buy new school clothes for Billy. As that was the only time we got new clothes was when school started.
After the thrill of seeing something new door prizes became the norm. I don't know how many Fairfax vacuum demonstrations we saw because they offered a canned ham as the entry gift. I remember Rainbow used to offer a grocery cart full of groceries, then they dropped that offer to if you bought. Then if you referred them to 75 of your nearest friends and relatives and if they bought. Kirby used to give knife sets, since Kirby (SF) also owned Quick Cut Knife Division (now Ginsu) the dealer bought those relatively cheep but good to get you in the door. Filter Queen offered a trip or hotel stay, yea try to get them to actually activate the coupon code though. Those are usually worthless.
Now, rarely do you see a salesperson in a neighborhood during the day, as most everyone works days. Though I don't see vacuum sales anymore, the window and siding people practically wear out the door bell around dinnertime. . Just because I live in an 80 year old house, you can tell from the street that it has new siding. Opps--sorry rant. Now they ask "Are you the decision maker of the house." I answer "No" and call the dog to the door.
Vacuum cleaners, the encyclopedia salesmen used to roam the streets pretty often. Amusing since World Book Encyclopedia was owned by Kirby, or Scott Fitzer. My mom said that Garbage disposals were another thing that were home demonstrated back in the day, along with cookware, sewing machines, and other things for the home that the housewife, home without a car, would not have the chance to see in the stores.
This is why the Sear's store was such a blessing. Saturday shopping, husband gets a new water hose, wife gets to look at the latest in home accessories, buy new school clothes for Billy. As that was the only time we got new clothes was when school started.
After the thrill of seeing something new door prizes became the norm. I don't know how many Fairfax vacuum demonstrations we saw because they offered a canned ham as the entry gift. I remember Rainbow used to offer a grocery cart full of groceries, then they dropped that offer to if you bought. Then if you referred them to 75 of your nearest friends and relatives and if they bought. Kirby used to give knife sets, since Kirby (SF) also owned Quick Cut Knife Division (now Ginsu) the dealer bought those relatively cheep but good to get you in the door. Filter Queen offered a trip or hotel stay, yea try to get them to actually activate the coupon code though. Those are usually worthless.
My aunt (single), retired from New York City and retuned
to Pittston, remodeled her family home, and bought a car. She always drove, but never owned a car in New York. She looked at a Lincoln Town Car. The salesman asked her if her "husband had to talk it over first"! This was 1986 ! She was furious! She called the manager and told him about her less than pleasant experience. The next day, a DIFFERENT salesman helped her. All he asked was WHY she wanted such a big car. She told him she needed a big trunk for her golf clubs, etc. She wrote a check and drove the Lincoln off the lot.
In the 70s, my dad's friend was an Electrolux dealer. He stopped by to 'pick up our cleaner that needed servicing. All he tried to do was sell her a new vac. "You NEED an Electrolux", he told her. "I DON'T, replied my mother". Have your husband talk it over and get back to me.
You all can guess how that ended.
The Hoover model 67 Convertible is STILL in the house. My mom, dad, AND the salesman are all dead now.
to Pittston, remodeled her family home, and bought a car. She always drove, but never owned a car in New York. She looked at a Lincoln Town Car. The salesman asked her if her "husband had to talk it over first"! This was 1986 ! She was furious! She called the manager and told him about her less than pleasant experience. The next day, a DIFFERENT salesman helped her. All he asked was WHY she wanted such a big car. She told him she needed a big trunk for her golf clubs, etc. She wrote a check and drove the Lincoln off the lot.
In the 70s, my dad's friend was an Electrolux dealer. He stopped by to 'pick up our cleaner that needed servicing. All he tried to do was sell her a new vac. "You NEED an Electrolux", he told her. "I DON'T, replied my mother". Have your husband talk it over and get back to me.
You all can guess how that ended.
The Hoover model 67 Convertible is STILL in the house. My mom, dad, AND the salesman are all dead now.
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