very old possiblely 1909 whole house Vac system

[mtsintra]

My first posting.
I am Hoping to find information on this system which is dated 1909 on the vacuum part.
Information as follows with photos.
Thanking every one
Motor Wagmer electric MFG Co. Frame RA Model 11V 60 cycles 2HP 1165 RPM 100 - 116 Volts 32 Amps Serial # 86083
Vacuum engineering Co. New York. Size 8x 4 3/4 x 9 Number 8679.
Some parts missing
Photos
Hope these are useful .
Thank you

 

[caligula]

I found info on Wikipedia, have a look.

 

[kwalsh97214]

Your photos of this early home central vacuum system are appealing on several levels.

It looks like a Rube Goldberg contraption / invention.

If I had a machine like that I would try to get some of the missing pieces (or reasonable facsimiles) to make the old vacuum look quasi functional and have the whole thing steam cleaned and polished. What a conversation piece.

I am a fan of vintage steam radiators (and all the plumbing elbows, nipples, valves and flanges that make the radiators work). According to Google, the American Radiator Company also operated the American Vacuum Company in the early 1900s and made central vacs.

 

[human]

Yeah, it looks like quite a bit is missing, but it's interesting nonetheless. The 1909 date is likely a patent date, so it could be a little newer.

 

[mtsintra]

Thanks

I appreciate the replies. If I can get an idea of the construction I will make the missing parts. More to follow
Thank you all

 

[huskyvacs]

Killer find! Incredible piece of machinery. Make sure nothing happens to it. If it has to be removed, you can put it on one of those old fashioned railroad luggage trolleys and it can live on there.

It looks like a pneumatic vacuum more than a suction vacuum. They would generate pressure and blow air down at the floor which the nozzle would then pick up. That might be what that huge cylinder is.

It reminds me of those old horse drawn vacuum cleaners.

 

[caligula]

Actually the machine pictured above is one of the first pneumatic vacuum cleaners, but the term 'Worlds Oldest' is incorrect as the the first vacuum cleaner was invented in Chicago, Illinois in 1869. Inventor was Ives W. McGaffy, and called the Whirlwind.

 

[kirbyman65]

There are many

Different “first” vacuums I personally think it’s a matter of opinion. Your could claim it was Daniel Hess, or Herbert Cecil Booth, but in my opinion i would say James M. Spangler. He made the first portable electric suction sweeper which then became Hoover.

 

[caligula]

Hi Kirbyman65.

The Whirlwind was a non-electric, hand crank device, but as you see, had all the components of traditional uprights that were to follow. Without doubt the Electric Suction Sweeper, which became the Hoover model O was the first practical machine. However, James B. Kirby also had his hand in the cookie jar with his Domestic Cyclone in 1906, a non-electric, revised with a motor in 1907.

On a personal note, the Whirlwind was not a great design, but it was the first mass produced, made in Boston by The American Carpet Cleaning Company. Sadly, most of the Whirlwinds were lost in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. It was outfitted with a motor in 1905.

 

[centralvacs1928]

You've got a "Rotrex" system there...an early wet/dry self-emptying central vacuum.

Besides power and vacuum pipe connections, this machine would also have been connected to water and sewer. It mixed the dirt with water and sent it straight through the pump and into the sewer as a slurry.

The open area would have had a cast iron cover, and was opened to access a screen (which would catch articles sucked up that were too big to go through the pump).

I wonder how long it's been since this machine ran. The motor is a "repulsion start induction run" style which was common in the 1910s and later. It has carbon brushes which are only engaged when the motor is starting, then they snap away as the motor gets up to full speed.

Thank you for sharing the pictures...very cool! Can you post a picture of what the wall inlets looked like, if they are still intact?

 

[mtsintra]

Rotex sytem

Many Thanks for you info. The system has many similarities and your expiation has enlightened me as to how it may work. Unfortunately there is only the central vac piping left and now you mentioned it maybe a drain.. with the two tanks very heavily built, I was thinking it was a compressor which maybe have used a venture to create a suction. How ever it looks like water was used and I see a place for grating to catch debris. Will post more after I get it back to the workshop. All the best