andy
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Tool set
Vintage Central Vacuums
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andy
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pg14
andy
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pg 15
andy
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pg 16
andy
Well-known member
I have another Spencer brochure I will upload tomorrow, as well as brochures for the Sturtevant and Rumsey central systems.
Doug, I've never seen that Goblin before. What's the suction like compared to a regular canister cleaner?
Doug, I've never seen that Goblin before. What's the suction like compared to a regular canister cleaner?
aeoliandave
Well-known member
Spencer is also justly famous for it's ORGO-BLO series of pipe organ blower units. The multiple stage turbines make it possible to tap wind pressures from 3" up through 50" and 100" for the large installations. My friend Rich in Syracuse has a 'small' 30" Orgo-blo in his basement; it has three 30" turbine wheels. My Kinetic blower has two 24" wheels for 10" pressure at 500 rpm.
collector2
Well-known member
Hi Andy:
The goblin (model T-2 incidentally) has about twice the suction of a cannister of the time (which isnt saying alot). Wish I could find the rest of the parts but thats all I got with it. The guy that had it was using it as a shop vac and had no idea that it was actually a central (Hence the ugly yellow dolly under it).
Excellent brochure incidentally. Love it and I look forward to seeing the rest.
Doug
The goblin (model T-2 incidentally) has about twice the suction of a cannister of the time (which isnt saying alot). Wish I could find the rest of the parts but thats all I got with it. The guy that had it was using it as a shop vac and had no idea that it was actually a central (Hence the ugly yellow dolly under it).
Excellent brochure incidentally. Love it and I look forward to seeing the rest.
Doug
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
WOW,,,thanks so much for posting these, and all the information!
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
Dont know if this is true or not, but it seems like i read or heard once that there was a central vac system (such as the Spencer) installed on the Titanic. Anyone ever heard of this?
vintagehoover
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2006
- Messages
- 2,883
Central Vac on Titanic
I've often wondered what cleaning systems were employed on Titanic. I'd love to imagine the area rugs being 'Hoovered' by the stewards, attracting interested glances from the society ladies, but given that construction began in March 1909, and the Electric Suction Sweeper Company had only been founded 8 months previously, I think it highly unlikely that they could have supplied the equipment. Although if they did have a fleet of Model 18s onboard, it could explain why the ship sank so quickly!
Since the Titanic was the pinnacle of modernity, luxury, and a showcase for all humanity's greatest achievements of the time, I would have thought they'd have wanted to include a system more sophisticated than brooms and duspans, and a 'stationary plant' sounds plausible.
There must be people online who would have information. I found this short discussion on a Titanic forum - it's 5 years out of date, though! I also found a few pics of the ship's interior, but none detailed enough to see if there are any wall-ports for hoses. Perhaps they were concealed, anyway.
http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/discus/messages/5919/59334.html
I've often wondered what cleaning systems were employed on Titanic. I'd love to imagine the area rugs being 'Hoovered' by the stewards, attracting interested glances from the society ladies, but given that construction began in March 1909, and the Electric Suction Sweeper Company had only been founded 8 months previously, I think it highly unlikely that they could have supplied the equipment. Although if they did have a fleet of Model 18s onboard, it could explain why the ship sank so quickly!
Since the Titanic was the pinnacle of modernity, luxury, and a showcase for all humanity's greatest achievements of the time, I would have thought they'd have wanted to include a system more sophisticated than brooms and duspans, and a 'stationary plant' sounds plausible.
There must be people online who would have information. I found this short discussion on a Titanic forum - it's 5 years out of date, though! I also found a few pics of the ship's interior, but none detailed enough to see if there are any wall-ports for hoses. Perhaps they were concealed, anyway.
http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/discus/messages/5919/59334.html
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
Thank you for that link,,thats excellent. I coulda swore i heard or read once that Titanic, and its sister Olympic were equipped with the pnumatic (sp?) vacuum tubes, to send messages back and fourth across the ship, and this system was also used to power the central vacuum cleaning system on board.
This could all be false too,,,as it could be a different ship entirely,,not sure.
This could all be false too,,,as it could be a different ship entirely,,not sure.
electroluxkirby
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2008
- Messages
- 619
WOW!
I didn't realize that central vacuum systems went back that far. The first one I ever saw in person was when my Mother and I went to Canada in 1976; our cousins had a central system and I was so amazed. Their system would activate as soon as an outlet was opened. She had a power nozzle and the usual attachments for bare floors, dusting, and upholstery. I wanted one at our house since I did most of the vacuuming and it was a two story house with only one vacuum cleaner.
This may sound dumb, but I'm going to ask any way, can you use multiple outlets at the same time on a central system or would it cause a loss in suction?
I didn't realize that central vacuum systems went back that far. The first one I ever saw in person was when my Mother and I went to Canada in 1976; our cousins had a central system and I was so amazed. Their system would activate as soon as an outlet was opened. She had a power nozzle and the usual attachments for bare floors, dusting, and upholstery. I wanted one at our house since I did most of the vacuuming and it was a two story house with only one vacuum cleaner.
This may sound dumb, but I'm going to ask any way, can you use multiple outlets at the same time on a central system or would it cause a loss in suction?
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
Right, the household type central vacs are only meant for one inlet to be open at a time, or else there would be too much suction loss.
The commercial, or industrial units are much larger, and do have the power to supply several open inlets at once.
Notice that one Spencer unit that was 50 HP!
I remember reading where there was a large old theatre somewhere that had such a large central vac unit that when it was turned on, the whole building rumbled like thunder!
The commercial, or industrial units are much larger, and do have the power to supply several open inlets at once.
Notice that one Spencer unit that was 50 HP!
I remember reading where there was a large old theatre somewhere that had such a large central vac unit that when it was turned on, the whole building rumbled like thunder!
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
Notice the elbow on the end of the hose handle, in the pic of the maid vacuuming the carpet? HA, i bet that was one heavy piece to use all day!
Thanks Andy for posting these,,very interesting!
Thanks Andy for posting these,,very interesting!
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
CompactElectra,,
Are your inlets for your Central Vac made of Brass? I really like those,,,very sharp looking!
Are your inlets for your Central Vac made of Brass? I really like those,,,very sharp looking!
normvac
Well-known member
Ford Manison in Michigan
I can remember the old 1909 grade school building that I went to first grade in back in the early 50's had a spencer system in it.
Then upon touring the Ford Manison in Michigan. I notice a
old brass inlet in one of the bedrooms. So I asked the tour
guide and she said YES. I don't remember when it was built
for sure but I'm thinking late 30's early 40's. As the beautiful Deco look in the "family" room is just awesome for
the period.
Plus I have a cousin who lives in a wonderful old 4 story brick
home in Bedford PA. that was built by the local doctor in 1912.That also still has the spencer system in the basement. They by pasted it to put in a Nutone system back in the 70's when they renovated the home.
Norm
I can remember the old 1909 grade school building that I went to first grade in back in the early 50's had a spencer system in it.
Then upon touring the Ford Manison in Michigan. I notice a
old brass inlet in one of the bedrooms. So I asked the tour
guide and she said YES. I don't remember when it was built
for sure but I'm thinking late 30's early 40's. As the beautiful Deco look in the "family" room is just awesome for
the period.
Plus I have a cousin who lives in a wonderful old 4 story brick
home in Bedford PA. that was built by the local doctor in 1912.That also still has the spencer system in the basement. They by pasted it to put in a Nutone system back in the 70's when they renovated the home.
Norm
vintagehoover
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- Joined
- Aug 30, 2006
- Messages
- 2,883
Hi, Andy - thanks so much for scanning the Spencer brochure. I've had a great time reading through it, and I'd love to see more material on these machines!
When the Electric Suction Sweeper Company was founded, they took the potential threat to sales that central systems posed very seriously. They went out of their way in their early advertising material to emphasise the number of buildings equipped with central vacs who had abandoned them and adopted The Hoover instead - among them Hotel Havelin, Cincinnati, Hotel Frye, Seattle, and Hotel Astor, New York. A spokesperson from the The Havelin went on to say:
‘We have just purchased our fifth Hoover equipment, in spite of the fact that the Havelin is equipped with one of the best installed plants that money can buy.’
Similarly, Keith’s Hippodrome of Cleveland, Ohio stated:
‘We are doing with two Hoovers, operated by two men, the work intended for our stationary house plant, and seven men.’
In 1919, Hoover patented at least 3 styles of power-nozzle designed for central vacs. I would guess this was to prevent central vac manufacturers from using Hoover’s motor-driven revolving brush principle. Thus, Hoover could claim that since they relied on suction alone, they could never match the efficiency of The Hoover.
When the Electric Suction Sweeper Company was founded, they took the potential threat to sales that central systems posed very seriously. They went out of their way in their early advertising material to emphasise the number of buildings equipped with central vacs who had abandoned them and adopted The Hoover instead - among them Hotel Havelin, Cincinnati, Hotel Frye, Seattle, and Hotel Astor, New York. A spokesperson from the The Havelin went on to say:
‘We have just purchased our fifth Hoover equipment, in spite of the fact that the Havelin is equipped with one of the best installed plants that money can buy.’
Similarly, Keith’s Hippodrome of Cleveland, Ohio stated:
‘We are doing with two Hoovers, operated by two men, the work intended for our stationary house plant, and seven men.’
In 1919, Hoover patented at least 3 styles of power-nozzle designed for central vacs. I would guess this was to prevent central vac manufacturers from using Hoover’s motor-driven revolving brush principle. Thus, Hoover could claim that since they relied on suction alone, they could never match the efficiency of The Hoover.
portable
Well-known member
Wow, Jack, and Brett
Thanks for that patent info. That's an eye-opener. Hoover was really smart in anchoring that patent against their competition. It helped, too, that the individual vacuum became popular at a time when the price point was more affordable than a built-in plant. I have some ARCO-WAND pamphlets that I'll dig up, so we can continue the thread about built-in systems. Thanks for the great patent research. John L.
Thanks for that patent info. That's an eye-opener. Hoover was really smart in anchoring that patent against their competition. It helped, too, that the individual vacuum became popular at a time when the price point was more affordable than a built-in plant. I have some ARCO-WAND pamphlets that I'll dig up, so we can continue the thread about built-in systems. Thanks for the great patent research. John L.
andy
Well-known member
Jack and David
That is SO cool! I'd always thought to myself that surely it must have occured to someone back then to rig up some sort of a powerhead, well now I know someone did.
A Hoover hooked up to a Spencer. The best of both worlds! As much as I love those old central vacs, even the most powerful Spencers had limits when it came to deep carpet cleaning. And some built ins of that era were just pure duds.
I'll try to post the rest of my literature tomorrow. I'm a little behind because of other family members using the scanner, but I really appreciate everyone's positive comments and contributions!
That is SO cool! I'd always thought to myself that surely it must have occured to someone back then to rig up some sort of a powerhead, well now I know someone did.
A Hoover hooked up to a Spencer. The best of both worlds! As much as I love those old central vacs, even the most powerful Spencers had limits when it came to deep carpet cleaning. And some built ins of that era were just pure duds.
I'll try to post the rest of my literature tomorrow. I'm a little behind because of other family members using the scanner, but I really appreciate everyone's positive comments and contributions!
portable
Well-known member
Spencer Systems
This pamphlet is from the Panama Pacific International Exposition in 1915. The dealer I bought it from noted that on 2nd (title) page. Note that they were featured in the GE Building. Hmmmmm. Here's the front page:
This pamphlet is from the Panama Pacific International Exposition in 1915. The dealer I bought it from noted that on 2nd (title) page. Note that they were featured in the GE Building. Hmmmmm. Here's the front page:
portable
Well-known member
Spencer - next
Title page
Title page
portable
Well-known member
Spencer - more
next page -
next page -
portable
Well-known member
still more
new page -
new page -
portable
Well-known member
and on -
next -
next -
portable
Well-known member
and forward -
here:
here:
portable
Well-known member
getting toward the end -
here -
here -
portable
Well-known member
last page
fini
fini
andy
Well-known member
Wow
Thanks for posting your pamphlet John! I especially like the last page that has the different parts of the power unit labeled.
Here is a brochure that's a little later than the one I first posted. If you take note of the power units, you can see how they evolved from the first brochure. What I really like about this brochure is that it has several pages with pictures of buildings that had Spencers installed. Look closely and see if you know any of these buildings!
Thanks for posting your pamphlet John! I especially like the last page that has the different parts of the power unit labeled.
Here is a brochure that's a little later than the one I first posted. If you take note of the power units, you can see how they evolved from the first brochure. What I really like about this brochure is that it has several pages with pictures of buildings that had Spencers installed. Look closely and see if you know any of these buildings!
andy
Well-known member
Title
Title page
Title page
