truckerx
New member
Which was the first Hoover that Henry Dreyfuss played some part in its design, and, which was the last?
Which were the first and last Henry Dreyfuss Hoovers?
- Thread starter truckerx
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I may be wrong and bearing in mind I'm just about to go to bed here in the UK so my mind is not fresh...
But.. I think his first was the Hoover Model 150 in 1936. And I think his last was the Model 82 constellation in 1954..
Don't anyone blame me if I'm wrong.. I'm tired.. LOL
But.. I think his first was the Hoover Model 150 in 1936. And I think his last was the Model 82 constellation in 1954..
Don't anyone blame me if I'm wrong.. I'm tired.. LOL
hooverboy81
Well-known member
Dreyfuss
I thought it was the 1935 model 825, and then the 1957 Convertible 65?
I thought it was the 1935 model 825, and then the 1957 Convertible 65?
guardsman69
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HENRY DRYFUSS FIRST HOOVER DESIGN WAS THE MODEL 150 INTRODUCED AT THE 1939 WORLDS FAIR AND THE FIRST TO HAVE A BAKELITE MOTOR HOOD.....HIS LAST HOOVER DESIGN WAS THE THE 1973 FULL HOOVER HOOD CONVERTIBLE COLLECTION MODELS U4003/5/7/9...THAT SET THE STAGE FOR THE 1975 HIGH PERFORMANCE COLLECTION OF CONVERTIBLES...HE ALSO FINISHED WORK ON THE CELEBRITY II POWER NOZZLE COLLECTION ALSO LAUNCHED IN 1975... HE COMMITTED SUICIDE IN MID 1974 WHEN HE LEARNED THAT HIS WIFE HAD TERMINAL CANCER....BOTH HE AND HIS WIFE WENT INTO THE GARAGE STARTED THE CAR AND ENDED THEIR LIVES.....WHAT AN AWESOME AND BRILLIANT MIND LOST .....THE HOOVERS THAT WERE TO COME....THAT NEVER WERE....THAT IS LOVE BEYOND ALL LIMITS
truckerx
New member
Hoover 150
The Hoover model 150 may have been introduced at the 1939 World's Fair but had been in production since 1935.
The Hoover model 150 may have been introduced at the 1939 World's Fair but had been in production since 1935.
It was a wonderful cleaner.
Numerous times, it was called,'overenginnered'.This one graces The HOOVER Historical Society.
Numerous times, it was called,'overenginnered'.This one graces The HOOVER Historical Society.
guardsman69
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john an excellent photo.....as you have proven time and time again that before the public get a hoover ....it usually is in the works for several years before its released to create the unit.....i bet the 150 was on the drawing board in henrys studio since the early 30s....i wonder what photos ann haines has of that prototype
John, if there are any,
I'll find out on my next trip to the "Holy Land", and I don't mean Israel.
I'll find out on my next trip to the "Holy Land", and I don't mean Israel.
Now I've woken again and am a bit more alert... And I've done some searching on the net..
I think I maybe have been correct with what I said above..
Also just to clarify with the info I've found surrounding his death. He committed suicide on Oct 4th 1972..
There is a whole section on him on Wikipedia.
Dickie.
)
I think I maybe have been correct with what I said above..
Also just to clarify with the info I've found surrounding his death. He committed suicide on Oct 4th 1972..
There is a whole section on him on Wikipedia.
Dickie.
)vacbear58
Well-known member
1st Dreyfuss
Deryfuss definatly worked on the 825 in 1934, there is a patent dated December 18th 1934 with his signature on it - follow the link and scroll halfway down the page. The 150 is also noted as being 1935
AL
http://www.vintagehoover.com/models800160.htm
Deryfuss definatly worked on the 825 in 1934, there is a patent dated December 18th 1934 with his signature on it - follow the link and scroll halfway down the page. The 150 is also noted as being 1935
AL
http://www.vintagehoover.com/models800160.htm
hooverboy81
Well-known member
Dreyfuss
I didn't think my dates were that far off
I paid attention in history!
I didn't think my dates were that far off
I paid attention in history!
hooverboy81
Well-known member
link
Great link by the way! Jack has some of the best, and most complete, information on Hoover on the web!
Great link by the way! Jack has some of the best, and most complete, information on Hoover on the web!
truckerx
New member
I don't think there would be much argument against stating that the Hoover 150 was probably Dreyfuss' most new and sensational design.
Somehow, I get this "feeling" that Dreyfuss may have been involved with some minor Hoover embellishments as early as the mid 1920's. For instance, consider the DPI orange bag logos and motor cover bands dating back to 1926 with the advent of the model 700.
Please feel free to correct me, if my thoughts are wrong, as some valid citations will be noted and most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Somehow, I get this "feeling" that Dreyfuss may have been involved with some minor Hoover embellishments as early as the mid 1920's. For instance, consider the DPI orange bag logos and motor cover bands dating back to 1926 with the advent of the model 700.
Please feel free to correct me, if my thoughts are wrong, as some valid citations will be noted and most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
truckerx
New member
Hoover 700 and 725 orange bag logos
Was Dreyfuss involved in the early 700 series bag designs?
Was Dreyfuss involved in the early 700 series bag designs?
truckerx
New member
Hoover 700 and 725 orange bag logos
Hoover model 725. Note the artful orange bag logo.
Hoover model 725. Note the artful orange bag logo.
truckerx
New member
More orange...
can't remember the exact model number of this 700 series Hoover which sported the orange motor band
can't remember the exact model number of this 700 series Hoover which sported the orange motor band
brandon_w_t
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The same script was used on the 575s bag. But it was white.
truckerx
New member
Model 300
We know that Dreyfuss was instrumental in the design of the model 150. Would it not follow that he, at the same time, also designed the 150's less expensive coffee-can companion, the model 300 (shown with artful green motor band and bag logo)? Perhaps you can see where I am going with this supposition, dating back to the 1926 700 series orange bag logos and motor bands. We already know he was involved with the US 800 series about 1933. I am attempting to link Dreyfuss to 1926 and the 700 Super-Cleaner series.
We know that Dreyfuss was instrumental in the design of the model 150. Would it not follow that he, at the same time, also designed the 150's less expensive coffee-can companion, the model 300 (shown with artful green motor band and bag logo)? Perhaps you can see where I am going with this supposition, dating back to the 1926 700 series orange bag logos and motor bands. We already know he was involved with the US 800 series about 1933. I am attempting to link Dreyfuss to 1926 and the 700 Super-Cleaner series.
jimbeckwith
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Dreyfuss
I've always been under the impression that his first design for Hoover was the 541, but I don't know where I came by that information. Obviously, this was not a "from the ground up" design of his, but based on the way a 541 looks compared to the 105 and other Hoover models that preceeded it, the model 541 Hoover marks a BIG change in design. My guess is that his contribution was limited to the softening of the edges in the casting, the furniture guard with HOOVER moulded into the front, the rather sophisticated handle grip and the nice looking nameplate with IBAISAIC on it. From this machine onward, Hoovers only seemed to get better looking, and someone who knew what they were doing obviously had a hand in it.
I've always been under the impression that his first design for Hoover was the 541, but I don't know where I came by that information. Obviously, this was not a "from the ground up" design of his, but based on the way a 541 looks compared to the 105 and other Hoover models that preceeded it, the model 541 Hoover marks a BIG change in design. My guess is that his contribution was limited to the softening of the edges in the casting, the furniture guard with HOOVER moulded into the front, the rather sophisticated handle grip and the nice looking nameplate with IBAISAIC on it. From this machine onward, Hoovers only seemed to get better looking, and someone who knew what they were doing obviously had a hand in it.
guardsman69
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in frank hoovers book the fabulous dust pan .....dryfuss entered the hoover scene and was hired by the hoover family after these units were created....by other engineers
truckerx
New member
So far, there is no proof that my supposition holds water, but Dreyfuss did design stage sets in his early days. I guess what I am curious about is whether he may have provided Hoover with some art work, on a limited basis in the earlier years, before being recognized and hired as a product designer.
This could be an interesting research project or simply point to the fact that I have too much time on my hands.
Anyway, thanks for all the input and photos. I have learned some things as a result.
In closing, I'm wondering if anyone here has read "Designing for People" autobiography, 1955, Henry Dreyfuss ?
This could be an interesting research project or simply point to the fact that I have too much time on my hands.
Anyway, thanks for all the input and photos. I have learned some things as a result.
In closing, I'm wondering if anyone here has read "Designing for People" autobiography, 1955, Henry Dreyfuss ?
portable
Well-known member
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">Bernie -</span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">The vacuum with the orange band you are referring to is the Model 725, which debuted in approximately 1929.</span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">You may want to work "backwards" by taking the design patent numbers from the bottom of the earlier models you are curious about (they start with a D) and see if Dreyfuss' name is connected with any of them on the original patent.</span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">I have a 1935 ad that clearly shows that the Model 825 was marked as a "Dreyfuss-designed Hoover". The ad is dated March 16, 1935. Interestingly, this model is nicknamed "Sentinel 35", denoting it as part of the Sentinel Series Hoovers. This is the first ad in which Henry Dreyfuss' name is mentioned that I could find. His name is not mentioned on the Model 300 ads, though that alone may not mean anything. As previously mentioned, the Model 150 had probably been on his drawing board for several years before its early 1936 debut.</span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">Good luck.</span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">John Lucia</span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">The vacuum with the orange band you are referring to is the Model 725, which debuted in approximately 1929.</span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">You may want to work "backwards" by taking the design patent numbers from the bottom of the earlier models you are curious about (they start with a D) and see if Dreyfuss' name is connected with any of them on the original patent.</span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">I have a 1935 ad that clearly shows that the Model 825 was marked as a "Dreyfuss-designed Hoover". The ad is dated March 16, 1935. Interestingly, this model is nicknamed "Sentinel 35", denoting it as part of the Sentinel Series Hoovers. This is the first ad in which Henry Dreyfuss' name is mentioned that I could find. His name is not mentioned on the Model 300 ads, though that alone may not mean anything. As previously mentioned, the Model 150 had probably been on his drawing board for several years before its early 1936 debut.</span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">Good luck.</span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">John Lucia</span>
When we were in North Canton in 2008,
"Bud" Hoover was talking about how on Saturday nights, Henry would be over for dinner. So casually speaking about this industrial giant sharing a meal with their family, like he was a neighbor. Our mouths were agape.
"Bud" Hoover was talking about how on Saturday nights, Henry would be over for dinner. So casually speaking about this industrial giant sharing a meal with their family, like he was a neighbor. Our mouths were agape.
truckerx
New member
"Designing for People"
The 2003 printing of the book features additional photos of his works.
The 2003 printing of the book features additional photos of his works.
truckerx
New member
Thanks John
...for that information.
...for that information.
jimbeckwith
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Henry Dreyfuss
A website called www.jitterbuzz.com ascribes the design of the Hoover model 541 to Dreyfuss, but the patent drawing by Dreyfuss which they use "for this model" is plainly the patent drawing for the Hoover 300! It is design patent D-101,858 filed 10/7/35, dated 11/10/36 entitled "Casing for a Suction Sweeper or Similar Article"
which is signed by Dreyfuss as inventor.
A website called www.jitterbuzz.com ascribes the design of the Hoover model 541 to Dreyfuss, but the patent drawing by Dreyfuss which they use "for this model" is plainly the patent drawing for the Hoover 300! It is design patent D-101,858 filed 10/7/35, dated 11/10/36 entitled "Casing for a Suction Sweeper or Similar Article"
which is signed by Dreyfuss as inventor.
truckerx
New member
Jim...
I believe as well that Dreyfuss designed for Hoover long before the introduction of the 825. I heard it, I read it somewhere but can't remember because it was several years ago. The artistic bag logos on the early models were obviously the works of some good artist - why not neighbor and Saturday night dinner guest, Dreyfuss? Based the patent drawing, the theory that the model 300 was a Dreyfuss design could be true. He designed the 150. The 300 was introduced in the same year as the 150 as its less-expensive companion.
Born in 1904, Dreyfuss would have been 19 years old when the Hoover model 541 was introduced in 1923.
I believe as well that Dreyfuss designed for Hoover long before the introduction of the 825. I heard it, I read it somewhere but can't remember because it was several years ago. The artistic bag logos on the early models were obviously the works of some good artist - why not neighbor and Saturday night dinner guest, Dreyfuss? Based the patent drawing, the theory that the model 300 was a Dreyfuss design could be true. He designed the 150. The 300 was introduced in the same year as the 150 as its less-expensive companion.
Born in 1904, Dreyfuss would have been 19 years old when the Hoover model 541 was introduced in 1923.
jimbeckwith
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Dreyfuss
If Dreyfuss was born in 1904, my guess is that he would have been too young to have had anything to do with the 541, unless Hoover was just letting a kid "take a crack at it" and liked what he came up with. That said, someone with an eye for detail definitely had a hand in its design, for more than any other Hoover machine before it, the 541 was "styled" with a level of sophistication that could not have happened by accident. I wonder what the design patent numbers for the casing/casting and handle designs were, and whose name appears on the drawings. Any ideas where one would look for this information?
If Dreyfuss was born in 1904, my guess is that he would have been too young to have had anything to do with the 541, unless Hoover was just letting a kid "take a crack at it" and liked what he came up with. That said, someone with an eye for detail definitely had a hand in its design, for more than any other Hoover machine before it, the 541 was "styled" with a level of sophistication that could not have happened by accident. I wonder what the design patent numbers for the casing/casting and handle designs were, and whose name appears on the drawings. Any ideas where one would look for this information?
