Who designed/invented the original Hoover Windtunnel Supreme?

[hoover78]

Was the very first model manual or SP?

 

[eurekaprince]

I’m pretty sure it was a basic manual WindTunnel - not self propelled.

Would love to congratulate the industrial designer who created the segregated air channels in the WindTunnel’s brush roll chamber. The feature really works!

 

[durango159]

The Hoover Windtunnel upright series first deployed around 1998 I believe was the actual year. The first generation of these vacuums was manual usage only and there were about 4 models. Hoover actually ran a 30 minute paid infomercial for these units. They had a demo on there showing the vacs picking up fine goldish colored sand versus other vacuums.


There was a 13" cleaning path base model and then a few other models including the Plus, Supreme and Deluxe. The Supreme and Deluxe were very similar as both had Dirt Sensors and were 15" cleaning paths. I think that the Deluxe had more accessories though. All of the original models were deep wine burgundy in color.


The success of how well these vacuums went is what sparked the introduction of Self Propelled series and Windtunnel canisters. The Windtunnel upright was on the market a couple of years before canisters and the Self Propelled models were introduced. It also took a couple of years before the air powered turbine tool was introduced. Hoover did not have an air powered turbine tool at the time when the first Windtunnel uprights hit the market. These machines were a very big step for Hoover as Hoover had not had a bypass style upright since the DialAMatic. Meanwhile, Eureka had the Victory series, Kenmore had clean air vacs for years, it was Hoover's turn to catch up with competition.


The Hoover Windtunnel canister was a really huge introduction for the market. There were two models, in the standard Hoover line up. The green S3630 Windtunnel canister was the base model and the black S3655 was the Ultra model which had several more features including an entire separate set of wands with combo floor tool. So the power head had a set of chrome wands and a combo floor tool had plastic wands, plus there was a standard bare floor brush still packed on board with the other 3 covered onboard tools. Many department stores only carried upright vacuums at the time and had never had a power head canister on their shelves. That changed with the green Hoover Windtunnel canister. Best Buy, Kohls, Kmart, Bradlees and many many more stores had the green S3630 on the shelves.

 

[honestjoe68]

Hi Rob!

Thanks for the information and yes, you are correct according to my direct experience with my first Hoover Windtunnel.

I ordered my first Hoover Windtunnel (Burgundy Deluxe with Dirt Finder) off Hoover’s infomercial and other than how Loud it was.. I was very happy and impressed by its cleaning power! Shortly after I saw the infomercial for the Deluxe Self Propelled Windtunnel, I believe it was Dark Green if I’m remembering correctly and Wow.. it was great, it was so easy to use with the power drive wheels and again, other than how Loud it was, I loved these two vacuums and kept the Windtunnel pair for many years.

I also bought through the years the Hoover Self Propelled Windtunnel in many other colors, my favorites being the Dark Green Metallic and the Platinum Dark Metallic and I seem to recall owning one in the Purple Wine Color.

Anyhow, I was feeling nostalgic last year and since I’d long since gotten rid of all my Hoover Self Propelled Windtunnel Vacuums, I bought the Bright Blue Windtunnel and still have it as part of my collection. I do miss the beauty and trim details of those first Windtunnel Vacuums, as the Dark Green, Burgundy and Silver Grey earlier versions were a bit more stylish and pretty color schemes. Boy I really miss the days when Hoover’s were made with much more detail and besides function, aesthetic and looks were important to Hoover as well. Even the attachment too,s were Color Matched in a pretty accent color like Tan or Taupe.. now they are ALL boring Black plastic! Even the wheels were stylish and multi color.. see picture # 2 of the Platinum Grey Metallic Color Self Propelled Windtunnel.

I think what I miss the MOST about the Windtunnel and Hoover line in general is the many choices offered in BAGGED vacuums! It’s scary to see no bagged vacuums available on Hoover’s website and the Hoover Tempo (cheaper plastic blue model at Walmart) and the Windtunnel Self Propelled are the only Bagged Hoover’s “readily” available.

It’s Fun to reminisce but it makes me miss what was and sadly will never be again and that is affordable, well built bagged Hoover vacuums. I’m only talking Hoover... yes, there are plenty of very nice bagged vacuums, but not like the Hoover’s available for $200 to $400 bucks. Now it seems like there’s No in between and prices for Bagged vacuums shoot way up to $700 to $2,000 for Sebo, Miele or Tacony made vacuums... oh and I won’t forget brand new Kirby vacuums.

Thanks for sharing Rob!

Patrick






https://www.hoover.com/vacuums/upright-vacuums/

 

[amtraksebo1997]

Hoover actually ran a 30 minute paid infomercial for these

If anybody can provide a link to them, please share them. I would absolutely love to watch them, because I'm a big Windtunnel fan!

 

[rugsucker]

Windtunnel

I recall seeing the above commercial with its make believe/cartoon tornado on national news in the early 90s that had a report of a real tornado doing real damage/injury in eastern Ohio.
The first bagged WTs were a good vac but began a time when cord storage took a step backwards.Not only could the upper hook loosen and allow cord to fall to the floor when carrying or winding but many customers did not use or understand the notch to hold cord from underfoot.I've repaired many WT cords that were stepped on and pulled out of lower housing.Also Hoover never again had a carry handle as good as the Dial-A-Matic.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

Wait.. they used an actual tornado that caused devastation in Ohio to be part of an advertisement for their vacuuum? If so, that's pretty messed up.

 

[rugsucker]

WT ad

No.The ad would have already been filmed with possible animation.Just an unfortunate coincidence that it was aired along with a real tornado.
(What would Don Draper think of that?)

 

[amtraksebo1997]

Oh, well than I guess it's a pretty unfortunate coincidence. But maybe it would've just been better if they postponed the launch of the Windtunnel vacuums until after that tornado, but there isn't much that can be done about that now, considering it took place 20-30 years ago I think.