What You Can Buy for a Dime

[eurekastar]

My neighbor across the street was having a garage sale yesterday and I bought this for a Dime. I know that Kirby Sweet-Aire originally came in a bottle when that feature was introduced around 1950. I'm just wondering if any knows about when Kirby would have switched to this can. From the look of the logo, I'm guessing around 1956. Thanks!

 

[a007kirbyman]

Sweet Aire can...

Bill, that can L@@Ks to be in very good condition. I'll give you a buck three eighty for it. (As we said years ago.) ~~lol~~

Nice (& inexpensive) find.



[Bill, if you want, skip to the end.]

My research has lead me to believe the change was in early 1957 as it coincides with the change of vendor name producing the Sweet Aire for Kirby.

I have yet to find a bottle of Sweet Aire with the vendor name, Commonwealth Products, Inc on it. Likewise, I have yet to find a can of Sweet Aire with the vendor name, Miller Protecto Products on it. And, Commonwealth Products, Inc was formed (incorporated) on January 20th, of 1957.

*And even though Kirby timeline literature is ocassionally incorrect, or [dates of] the actual changes to the various models/manuals, don't/didn't make sense or jive [to us] (i.e. Logo change in '53, the Tradition safety switch); all evidence in this case points to 1957 for the change-over to cans.

(If someone has evidence or facts to the contrary, I would love to be aware of it or them.)



The short version is: I believe 1957!!! ~~lol~~


Cheers & hagn all,

Bill



Ps: As a side note:

*If you notice on the Sweet Aire can, it is referred to as: "Home Sanitation SINCE 1919." Which by the way, IS CORRECT!!!

Based upon the facts, 100 years of "Home Sanitation" would not be until 2019.

I do understand however, where the dates come from. George Scott & Carl Fetzer (S&F) partnered in 1914 as a machine shop, then in 1915 they actually formed as a corporation. They did not start producing vacuums until 1919 though.

Thru Jim Kirby's association working with George Scott & Carl Fetzer during WWI, he was able to see the high quality of work they (S&F) produced. He approached them with the idea of producing his vacuum designs. Prior to this, Jim's designs were used in a variety of vacuums going back to at least 1906. Premier, GE, Apex, Health-Mor (Filter Queen) & others have their roots or origins tied to Jim Kirby.

(Bill, I figured I would make use of your wonderful picture, to illustrate an example of erroneous timelines. Even with the ocassional error, Kirby (S&F) still builds the ultimate in quality.)

 

[eurekastar]

So what you're saying is that when Kirby informally designated the 516 as their "50th Anniversary Model", they were pretty much pulling that out of thin air! LOL!

 

[eurekastar]

Oh yes . . .

This can does say, "Commonwealth Products, Inc. -- Kalamazoo, Michigan". The can is in very good shape. It was sitting in a basket of stuff where everything was marked "10 Cents".

 

[a007kirbyman]

"...pulling that out of thin air..."

Hey Bill,

I'm gonna plead the fifth on that!!! ~~lol~~



I've don't recall ever seeing any S&F literature stating it was 'their' 50th Anniversary.

I've seen this 'comment' posted other times & I would love to see the documentation of it. It may have been printed?!?!?!

Until I see documentation, I liken it (the comment) to the game 'telephone.'


(i.e. When the story started, "...the girl went on a date to the movies with the boy...", & by the time it was told 10 different people later, "...the girl had now 'done' the boy & the entire drama club on the stage while the movie was playing..." (This time it was NOT the football team, they always seem to get the blame.) ~~lol~~


I'm not saying it's not possible; however, even if it was wrong, it could have been 'spun' based on Jim Kirby. And any error placed with the printer, rather than have everything reprinted in time for model introduction or contests. In my 26+ years of direct association with Kirby I've seen errors.

Jim Kirby built 'his' first vacuum in 1906. So it may have been intended to 'mark or represent' the 50th Anniversary of Jim Kirby's making of vacuum cleaners.


However that said, I have seen & have documentation of 1965. ~~lol~~ In 1965, one of the Distributor contests was for 1966 'Gold" Ford Mustangs to commemorate the 'Golden Anniversary.' See next three (3) pictures.


Hopefully this helps.

Cheers & hagn,

Bill

 

[a007kirbyman]

pic 2...

 

[a007kirbyman]

pic 3...

 

[a007kirbyman]

Kirby fans...

(See 3rd prior post by myself)


Similar scenario with the fans used in Kirbys.


I don't recall ever seeing any 'Kirby' literature stating the fans were/are made of Kevlar.

I've seen this 'comment' posted hundreds of times & I would love to see the documentation this as well.


They (fans) were made of Lexan initially. Which is both a brand name (GE, I believe) & a type of very strong & expensive plastic.

The current fans are made of Amodel (polyphthalamide).

Here is a link to, I believe the company who patented it:


http://www.solvayplumbing.com/static/wma/pdf/1/2/7/3/8/Amodel_A1145BK937DW.pdf
Cheers & hagn all,

Bill

http://www.solvayplumbing.com/static/wma/pdf/1/2/7/3/8/Amodel_A1145BK937DW.pdf

 

[eurekastar]

Sounds like

the thing that Urban Legends are made of! LOL!

 

[a007kirbyman]

Hey Kirby Aficionados,

The 'material' the Kirby fans are made out of, seems to be popping up regularly of late; so I revived this prior thread in which Bill & I discussed this.


The 'link' in post #7 does not seem to be 'working' at this point; however, if you shorten the web address to this:

www.solvayplastics.com


Then use their search box with the word: Amodel


That will provide some interesting reading on the material & some of its various applications.


Hopefully this helps.

Cheers & hagd/n,

Bill



http://www.solvayplastics.com

 

[vacman1961]

Wasn't the Dual Sanitronic "50" designed for the 50th Anniversary??? 1964 was when it debuted, even though everyone says it was 1965?