andy
Well-known member
32
Vintage Central Vacuums
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briankirbyclass
Well-known member
Yes, thanks so much for posting this,,,very interesting reading!
portable
Well-known member
Andy -
I loved this last pamphlet. I recognized the Battle Creek Sanitarium (Michigan). Wonder if it's still there? I like the tool lockers, too. I wonder if GE was involved with the Spencer at all?
I loved this last pamphlet. I recognized the Battle Creek Sanitarium (Michigan). Wonder if it's still there? I like the tool lockers, too. I wonder if GE was involved with the Spencer at all?
vintagehoover
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- Aug 30, 2006
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- 2,883
Battle Creek Sanitarium
When was the second Spencer booklet printed? I ask because in around 1912/13, Hoover were using the Battle Creek Sanitarium in their advertising booklets as an example of a building fitted with a central vac who had abandoned it in favour of The Hoover!
When was the second Spencer booklet printed? I ask because in around 1912/13, Hoover were using the Battle Creek Sanitarium in their advertising booklets as an example of a building fitted with a central vac who had abandoned it in favour of The Hoover!
rugmaster37
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- Sep 2, 2006
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Battle Creek Sanitarium...
It's still there. Parts of it anyway. The last addition is the picture you see beliow that was completed in the early 1930's. If you interested in the history of such things, and how far we've come as a society with health care...the link will be you're cup of tea also.
Here's a fairly recent shot of the Sanitarium as it sits downtown BC.
Huh...had NO idea that this whole works had anything to do with the invention of Kellogg's cereal.
I searched and sifted thru all the pic's..not even a shot of the central vac outlets on the walls or floors.
Chad
Ann Arbor Michigan
http://www.dlis.dla.mil/FederalCenter/Sanyears.asp
It's still there. Parts of it anyway. The last addition is the picture you see beliow that was completed in the early 1930's. If you interested in the history of such things, and how far we've come as a society with health care...the link will be you're cup of tea also.
Here's a fairly recent shot of the Sanitarium as it sits downtown BC.
Huh...had NO idea that this whole works had anything to do with the invention of Kellogg's cereal.
I searched and sifted thru all the pic's..not even a shot of the central vac outlets on the walls or floors.
Chad
Ann Arbor Michigan
http://www.dlis.dla.mil/FederalCenter/Sanyears.asp
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
Isnt the movie "Road to Wellville" kind of a spoof about the Battle Creek Sanitarium?
I remember reading once that Dr. Kellogg (who the cereal company is named after?) was either the founder or, had something to do with this place.
I remember reading once that Dr. Kellogg (who the cereal company is named after?) was either the founder or, had something to do with this place.
rugmaster37
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- Sep 2, 2006
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I guess most of it is still there!!!
I find that amazing that only the powerhouse was torn down at some point. I'm epecially intrigued by the fact that the pre 1930's part of Sanitarium is still standing, this was built in 1903. So it stands to reason that the building may still have central vacuum bits still in it. It's possible then, that the original system, while disconnected, may still be lurking in the bowels of that huge complex...
Hopefully this Google Earth pic shows up well....
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v...191915&scene=-1&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1
I find that amazing that only the powerhouse was torn down at some point. I'm epecially intrigued by the fact that the pre 1930's part of Sanitarium is still standing, this was built in 1903. So it stands to reason that the building may still have central vacuum bits still in it. It's possible then, that the original system, while disconnected, may still be lurking in the bowels of that huge complex...
Hopefully this Google Earth pic shows up well....
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v...191915&scene=-1&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1
andy
Well-known member
Jack
This booklet was printed in the late teen's, I'm pretty sure.
This booklet was printed in the late teen's, I'm pretty sure.
portable
Well-known member
Hey Chad and Brian -
If the movie "The Road to Wellville" is to be believed, Dr. Kellogg was one crazy loon, obsessed with "bowel cleansing". In the movie, a terrible fire consumes most of the grounds, but I have no idea if that ever happened or not. The old structure(s) was made mostly of wood. I should take a gander at Jack's link that he put up.
If the movie "The Road to Wellville" is to be believed, Dr. Kellogg was one crazy loon, obsessed with "bowel cleansing". In the movie, a terrible fire consumes most of the grounds, but I have no idea if that ever happened or not. The old structure(s) was made mostly of wood. I should take a gander at Jack's link that he put up.
portable
Well-known member
A little later -
That's a fascinating link, Chad (not Jack, sorry). Apparently the newer tower went up in about 1928. There was a fire in the early "oughts" and a reopened Sanitarium reopened in 1903. Quite a story - check out Chad's link above.
That's a fascinating link, Chad (not Jack, sorry). Apparently the newer tower went up in about 1928. There was a fire in the early "oughts" and a reopened Sanitarium reopened in 1903. Quite a story - check out Chad's link above.
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
Very interesting! Thanks so much!
rolls_rapide
Well-known member
British Vacuum Cleaner Company
Patented 1901.
http://madeupinbritain.camio.co.uk/index.php?title=Vacuum_cleaner
Patented 1901.
http://madeupinbritain.camio.co.uk/index.php?title=Vacuum_cleaner
Andy those are awesome! How come I never got to see 'em when I visited a year ago?
Actually I think I remember you saying they were at another house at that time...oh well...
How do you come across this stuff?
-Owen
Actually I think I remember you saying they were at another house at that time...oh well...
How do you come across this stuff?
-Owen
Fred,
One of your brochures for the old Filtex systems lists "N. Stanitz" as the national sales manager, based on Division Street in Chicago.
This gentleman went on to have his own brand of central vacuums (Air-Flo Systems) private labeled, and these were manufactured by the makers of your SilentMaster. I've attached a picture of a triple motor Air-Flo unit. These are EVERYWHERE in the Chicago area! The smaller, dual-motor version is a little more common, too.
One of your brochures for the old Filtex systems lists "N. Stanitz" as the national sales manager, based on Division Street in Chicago.
This gentleman went on to have his own brand of central vacuums (Air-Flo Systems) private labeled, and these were manufactured by the makers of your SilentMaster. I've attached a picture of a triple motor Air-Flo unit. These are EVERYWHERE in the Chicago area! The smaller, dual-motor version is a little more common, too.
andy
Well-known member
Owen,
I found all of my stuff on ebay, believe it or not!
I found all of my stuff on ebay, believe it or not!
I should pay more attention to eBay! I've gotten a couple old advertisements (Spencer, Invincible, Arco Wand) and a vintage Spencer installation type booklet from the 1910s, but nothing like you have.
Deleted member 2373
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anyone want a Spencer central vac, possibly model 211?
Our 1916 house has a central vac which we have not used for years. We are clearing out the basement. If someone wants the Spencer Turbine Cleaner, they can have it.
Phil Boston area 617-527-1762
Our 1916 house has a central vac which we have not used for years. We are clearing out the basement. If someone wants the Spencer Turbine Cleaner, they can have it.
Phil Boston area 617-527-1762
Older Spencer unit--sounds cool!does the unit still work?
dysonman1
Well-known member
Owen's Spencer Turbine from the 'teens'. Perfect balance of suction (pressure) and air flow. Took this photo during my recent visit to Owen's home in Chicago. Has a very interesting sound as it starts up - like a Hoover model 700 does.
dysonman1
Well-known member
Owen's Ohio TUEC, high air flow but very low suction.
dysonman1
Well-known member
Owen's ARCO-WAND. Very high pressure (suction) but very low air flow. ARCO stands for American Radiator Company.
mtsintra
New member
central vac system enquiry
Not sure if this is relevant to this thread but have a central Vac system which I would like to renovate .
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 below
Hope these are useful .
Thank you
Not sure if this is relevant to this thread but have a central Vac system which I would like to renovate .
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 below
Hope these are useful .
Thank you
