Yellowed Dirt Finder Lenses

[hooverboy81]

Model 61 lenses

I can promise you mine isn't glass lol. I unscrewed it from the bakelite hood, and removed the brass or copper piece that holds it in place to wash the lens. It was most certainly plastic. It had some "flexibility", also a few fine scratches on one side where it looked like someone previously tried cleaning it with an SOS pad, so I am absolutely certain it is not glass. Maybe it is because it is not white plastic, like the 29 through 64 models were, so it did not yellow.

Oreck_XL- I think the 60's are harder to find, and it beats me as to why they moved the handle release. Also, I thought it was rather strange that they produced the 60 from '40-'42, the re-released an almost identical design but relocated the handle release, and changed the handle grip from '46-'50. Seems kind of strange.

 

[hooverboy81]

61 Lens

Consulted many Hoover experts, and did a bit of research myself. The 60 and 61 lenses were indeed plastic, and not glass. Earlier headlight lenses were either clear plastic, (or non-existant on the model 300 and 750 for example) and later ones were "white" plastic. Being the history geek, I wanted to make sure I was correct in my earlier statements!

 

[truckerx]

Model 61.....

I won't belabor the point, but my 61 lens was glass, shattered and sharp. Perhaps some were made with glass then updated to plastic for that reason, safety being a consideration.

 

[hooverboy81]

I'd imagine so. Perhaps yours was REALLY early in the run? I wouldn't think glass would be the ideal material for a vacuum headlight lens, considering they were slammed into furniture...

 

[brandon_w_t]

The 61 I have has a glass lens as well.... Interesting.

 

[truckerx]

It's settled...

Some 61's had glass lenses, plainly evidenced by Fred's, mine and Brandon's observations.
...just finished reading an autobiography by Henry Dreyfus. One of the many things he was concerned with in the products he designed was safety, as well as quality, appeal, performance, style an value. Let's presume the 61's lenses were updated from glass to plastic for reasons of safety. That would make sense. Too bad Henry's not around any longer to ask him for certain.

 

[hooverboy81]

Not Really...

But ok...lol