Wait Wait Don't Tell- Tom Gasko

[electro]

I was driving home from church today and the radio show was on "Wait Wait Don't Tell". The 3 questions today were about first vacuum cleaners. When they got to the 3rd question on the show, the announcer asked when w Tom Gasko was interviewed at his vacuum museum in Missouri in 2019, what did he say he wanted done with his ashes? Ok , now the show had my attention. Answer-He wanted his ashes to be vacuumed up by his favorite vacuum. That was the 3rd answer to the 3rd question. It was fun to hear one of the
collectors make the national radio show and the 3 questions were about vacuums.

 

[dysonman1]

Who wouldn’t want to spend eternity in a purple Air-Way signature series? I would.

 

[caligula]

First vacuum cleaner.

Hi electro:

Your timing could not be better, as the answer to the question is 153 years ago.

The first vacuum cleaner was actually a suction sweeper called the 'Whirlwind.' The patent date was June 8, 1869, the inventor, Ives W. McGaffy, and the place was Chicago, Illinois. The Whirlwind was a non-electric device which looked much like the upright vacuum cleaners of today, but without a motor. Instead there was a hand crank with a very long belt to turn the fan. While it was invented in Chicago, it was manufactured in Boston by The American Carpet Cleaning company, and the cost was a hefty $25.00. Do they still exist? yes! I believe there are five or six still out there, however, most of them didn't survive long. A little over two years later there was the Great Chicago fire, and as the whirlwind was made of light wood, burned like matchsticks. Generally speaking, the Whirlwind was a dismal failure because without a motor it was hard to operate. Turning the crank while moving it over the floor was anything but easy. Interestingly, the Whirlwind was outfitted with an electric motor in 1905, but it didn't do much to improve it.

 

[eurekaprince]

The name Whirlwind was also used by a British company for their early non-electric suction sweeper…I think the fan was powered by a set of gears connected to the wheels like a carpet sweeper. You spun the fan by pushing and pulling the cleaner on the carpet.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Thanks, Alex

Once again, furnishing the Vac world with good, correct info.  And, then, of course, there's the whole Hoover story.  Sometimes, things get written that are untrue.  Some try to fix it, all to no avail.  Ann Haines tried to correct incorrect data on Hoover history. Some got corrected,  others refused to admit errors.  It happens all the time. So, untrue info becomes believable. So, even though Electrolux, and other brands are not my cup of tea, even iced,  I do appreciate good history on everything.

 

[caligula]

Thank you John.

Here's something that might warm your heart. Hope you have a great convention.

 

[electro]

Robert, thanks for the information. Love that Hoover Lark in your picture. The first 2 questions were about early vacuums in England. Of course to me ( and I now I am not correct) but the Hoover was THE successful cleaner. and my interest was always slanted toward Electrolux and Air-Way because that was what my relatives owned. I am sure John will have a successful meeting and a lot of information will be shared.

 

[caligula]

Thanks electro.

Actually I go with my middle name Alexander. Most of my life I was Bob, or worse 'Bobby,' which I hate. Not too crazy for Robert either.

As to the Whirlwind, I first saw it at the Hoover Historical Center in August of 1979, and never dreamed I'd get one. If you look at the two pictures, the top is me at hoover in 1994, the bottom are the members of the V.C.C.C. at our first meeting at Hoover, also 1994. The picture of the Whirlwind with the Hoovers was taken at the only official clubhouse the V.C.C.C. ever had, and yes, there was a museum.

And as I've said many times. 'Caligula,' is the cat in my avatar.

 

[caligula]

electro.

My two favorites are Electrolux and Kirby, though I also like Air-Way. As most of the old-timers in the V.C.C.C. know it was the Electrolux model LX that got the ball rolling. As to Air-Way, I really like the uprights of the 1920's, and own two of them. However, my real interest is in the non-electrics like the Whirlwind. As to the first tank, that was called 'the 'Hercules' and dates back to 1875, the place was Rochester, New York.

These early vacuum cleaners didn't work too well, but they jumpstarted the industry. And there's a lot of information out there if people take the time to look for it.

Thanks for posting,

Alex.

 

[electro]

Alex,

Thanks for the pictures of the early machines. FIRST I have to learn to spell CORRECT on my posts! I type too fast.
I am sure even though maybe not a powerful, those early machines were viewed as wonderful helpers. Compared to today the tool suction on the older Hoover's were not too great but what a boon to be able to just slice the converter into the side of your Hoover and be able to dust and clean your hardwood floors! I would be delighted if I could buy a new Hoover today with the quality of days gone by. As a matter of fact, I would be delighted if I could even get my family's Dail-A-Matic back in action. What a simple delight to clean the rug or twist the hose on for the tools.

 

[caligula]

Pictures.

The pictures above were from the V.C.C.C. convention that was held in Los Angeles, the year was 2005.

 

[caligula]

electro.

The Vacuum Cleaner Collectors Club has a rich history, which it far too long to go into here and now. Suffice it to say it was founded on January 2nd in 1983, with the first meeting held in Chesterton, Indiana May 4, 5, and 6, 1985. Club headquarters, with museum was in Naperville, Illinois.

If you want to know the story contact me personally at [email protected]

Here's the original logo. [this post was last edited: 6/5/2022-19:56]

 

[caligula]

First logo.

I have to give credit to the Hoover Historical Center for that logo. It's taken from a British non-electric which harkens back to 1890. It was The Baby Daisy, a two person, bellows machine. At that time the curator of the center was Stacy Krammes, and as luck would have it, her daughter, Liz, was a graphic artist, and she did the abstract of that machine for our letterhead, and so on. I was also fortunate to have had this rug made. And for our first club meeting was the official club cake. Here's a look at that.

 

[caligula]

Electro.

Here's the vacuum cleaner that started it all. I was only two years old when this came out in 1952, and the first time I saw it eject was fascinated. The lady who owned it was a next door neighbor, and left it to me after she passed away. In this picture the cordwinder is the only part not original, it goes to the model LXI. Rest assured it now has the correct winder.

And may I add, it's my daily driver.

 

[dysonman1]

Rob:
I have been interviewed by newspapers, magazines, have been on the radio and the television many, many times over the years. Talking about vacuum cleaners and the beautiful history of this amazing product. Always fun.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

And, Alex,


You're going to be most surprised and hopefully pleased after the convention.  We're having something that's right "up your alley", if you will.

 

[dysonman1]

Thread hijacking

Rob:
I’ve been asked many times about the Airway where My ashes will spend all eternity. Interviewers seem to like that answer. Of course in a vacuum. You and I have been friends for decades. It should come as no surprise.

 

[caligula]

electro.

Let's give a shout out for the Kirby's in my collection. While I love the early Electrolux's I also have a vast array of Kirby's.

Here's the original V.C.C.C.museum before is was transferred to an unused 3 car garage, which was also the official clubhouse.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

nice

I have TWO.  And, I hope they got a new home  at the convention.


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