western electric early pic

[joe22]

from ebay, early advertising pic

note vac is plugged into the light fixture, this was before plugs as we know them were in use.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110516231400&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[akabent]

Very cool pic

Many people do (may) not have known that early homes did not have electrical outlets, hence the screw-in adaptors in addition to 'screw-in' cord ends.

Thanks for finding/sharing this!
RB

 

[veroroger]

trivia

Not sure who posted this information (I think it was Aoliandave) but the reason for lights on a vacuum comes from having to plug them into the light socket which meant you didn't have that light while you vacuumed. Thought this would be an interesting aside to the advertisement
Roger

 

[aeoliandave]

I have 3 or 4 of the screw-in plug sockets, porcelain and Bakelite versions. They were used with early player pianos and nickelodeons with electric motors running pumps in cases where the household did not yet have wall outlets installed, quite common even after WW1.

 

[vacbear58]

In the UK

It was not unknown for cleaners to be supplied with light fitting connectors (bayonet in our case) to cleaners. Certainly Vactric seem to have done it up to the end (1960) and even Hoover supplied moulded plugs up until circa 1961 - occasionally a pink moulded plug pops up on ebay.

Even in the Uk by this time 3 pin wall sockets were common, and 13amp flat pin at that, so the only reason I can see for it was to facilitate light fitting connection with the aid of the optional adaptor. Note in this pic, where comic actress Hattie Jacques is "testing" cleaning equipment for Ideal Home an dthe moulded plug is quite clearly visible on the Senior/Convertable 652

 

[vacbear58]

And in this link

Its not easy to see here but in the origional the moulded plug is quite clear on the polisher about 25 sec in, the plug is close to the upper cable clip

http://www.youtube.com/user/lswrsi#p/u/16/iUgjOXxqg2Y

 

[vacbear58]

The rest of Hattie

Drifting from the thread topic I thought I would share the rest of the feature, this is page 2

 

[vacbear58]

Page 3

There are some rare machines in this feature

 

[vacbear58]

Page 4

And finally ...

 

[vintagehoover]

Here's a very cool early Hoover plug, now fitted to my Model 541. It can be converted for use in both bayonet lamp sockets, or 2-pin wall sockets. The distance between the pins can even be adjusted to fit the non-standardised sockets!

http://dustfluffgrit.blogspot.com/2009/07/comment-first-british-hoover-plug.html

 

[hooverbaby]

I had one of those!

I had one of those Morphy Richards canister cleaners, albeit minus the hose. It was in a kind-of two-tone brown colour. Unfortunately, this machine disappeared when my garage was broken into in 2004.

The little Pifco 'Vacette' cleaner is most unusual. I can't even say if I've seen one or not, since I would have dismissed it as something that blows (eg hair dryer) rather than sucks. I'm sure it was great for 'little people' who find a Dustette too heavy...

Stephen

 

[hooverbaby]

BTW

Cool picture of the Western Electric in action!

If anyone sees one of these machines let me know; I'd love to see one in the flesh; also any Sweeper Vacs with the worm-gear drive.

Stephen

 

[turbomaster1984]

Stephen,

We have a friends whom owns a Vacette, nice little machine by all means. Il see if I have any photos of it on my pc. Failing that il try to obtain some.

 

[hooverbaby]

Thanks Rob!

I'd be pleased to see the pictures of the little machine..or any dwarfs using one lol.