Thread Number: 33551  /  Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
Eureka Vacuums History
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Post# 365371   1/19/2017 at 21:21 (2,624 days old) by EurekaFan (Wisconsin)        

Hey everyone!

I was just wondering if you had any info on Eureka cleaners from the 50s through the 90s. I don't know much and was hoping to gain some more knowledge from joining this forum!

Thanks all.


Post# 365403 , Reply# 1   1/20/2017 at 15:10 (2,623 days old) by ronni (USA)        

Welcome to Vacuumland! I used the search bar for the forum archives to find another thread that will be somewhat helpful to you, because it includes a chart of bag types and a corresponding list. There are many Eureka threads--some including photos and scans of ads, so you'll want to perform your own searches, but this one will get you started. Hopefully another Vacuumlander will be able to provide a model timeline for you.

www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-...

I personally don't have a lot of knowledge of Eureka vacuum cleaners except that the uprights from at least the '60s and '70s resembled Hoover cleaners in many ways--including a variety of color combinations of the handles, casings, and bags.

Also, here is a company history overview, in case you're interested:

The Eureka Company ("Eureka" is Greek for "I have found (it)!") was begun by Detroit real-estate auctioneer Fred Wardell in 1909. He ran it until his enthusiasm waned in 1939, and he persuaded Henry Burritt to take over. Burritt merged Eureka with Williams Oil-O-Matic Heating Company in 1945 in a strategy to rejuvenate its floundering sales through diversification (oil-burner production was moved to Sweden after seven years). In 1953 Eureka-Williams was purchased by Henney Motor Company of Freeport, IL, and in 1959 it was merged with National Union Electric Corporation. AB Electrolux of Sweden purchased National Union in 1974 and changed the Eureka division name back to The Eureka Company a year or so later. In 1983, in an attempt to cut production costs, Eureka began to move vacuum cleaner production out of Bloomington, opening a plant to make uprights in El Paso, Texas, and in 1984 opening one in Juarez, Mexico. In 1990, Eureka announced that it was moving production of upright cleaners completely to El Paso. The manufacture and assembly of canisters were consequently consolidated at its plant at Normal, Illinois, while headquarters and other manufacturing operations remained at Bloomington. In 2004 the company's name was changed once again to Electrolux Home Care Products North America (later Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.), the factory in El Paso was shuttered, and all manufacturing was moved to Mexico. In December 2016, the Electrolux Group sold the Eureka brand to Midea Group Company, Ltd.



Post# 365419 , Reply# 2   1/20/2017 at 20:08 (2,623 days old) by ronni (USA)        

Harrison,

Here’s a list I obtained from the Hesco Inc. website www.hescoinc.com/schematics_eurek... and some others I added. I have no idea how complete it is for the 1950s-1990s range (I didn't copy everything), but at least you can use it as a guide to help you find models you’d like to have.

The list doesn’t include rebadges with private retailer names like Eaton's "Viking," The Bay's "Baycrest" and "Beaumark", JCPenney, Montgomery Ward, Firestone and Western Auto.

Also, this thread, #90 from 2006, includes good information and quite a few photos:
www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-...


Canisters

450A

500 & 700 Series (Prince/Princess)

500, 502, 508, 513, 550, 555, 560, 702, 703, 705, 711, 713, 714, 730, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740,741, 743, 745, 755, 760, 761, 765, 770, 773, 780

800 Series (Roto-Matic)

900 Series (Roto-Matic)
960 (Gold Crown, 50th Jubilee), 965a

1100 Series (Empress)

1200 Series (Roto-Matic Power Team) 1973-
1243, 1244, 1245, 1246, 1248, 1249, 1254, 1255, 1259, 1271

1600 Series
1620, 1625, 1630, 1640, 1650, 1660, 1663, 1680

1700 Series (Power Team)
1730, 1731, 1740, 1743, 1745, 1746, 1750, 1756, 1757, 1758, 1760, 1761, 1763, 1770, 1773, 1777, 1778, 1783, 1784, 1788, 1764, 1774, 1790, 1791

1800 Series (Empress II)
1810, 1820, 1830, 1833, 1840, 1860, 1880

POWER NOZZLES (Old Style)

Ironsides
1739, 1789, 1799

Rally
3837, 3850, 3860, 3865, 3916, 3930, 3974, 3975, 3977, 3987, 3988



Uprights

200 Series
210 (Easy Glide), 260 (50th Jubilee model), 265, 270 (Vanguard)

600 Series
625, 625D, 626

900 Series (Heavy-Duty)
918

1400 Series (Princess)
1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, 1408, 1409, 1410, 1411, 1412, 1413, 1414, 1415, 1416, 1417, 1418, 1419, 1420, 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424, 1425, 1426, 1427, 1428, 1429, 1431, 1432, 1435, 1436, 1437, 1438, 1439,1440, 1441, 1442, 1443, 1444, 1446, 1447, 1448, 1450, 1452, 1453, 1454,1455, 1456, 1457, 1458, 1458A, 1459, 1462, 1463, 1466, 1469, 1470, 1471, 1473,1485, 1486, 1489, 1490, 1495

1500 Series (Emperor)--Panasonic rebadge

1900 Series
1903, 1923, 1925, 1928, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1945,1946, 1947, 1967, 1968

1934AGS

2000 Series
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019,2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2030, 2033, 2035,2036, 2042, 2042D, 2043, 2044, 2045, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050, 2052, 2053, 2055,2058, 2060, 2061, 2062, 2064, 2068, 2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2076, 2077, 2079, 2080, 2080B, 2081, 2082, 2083, 2084, 2085, 2086, 2087, 2088, 2090,2091, 2092, 2093, 2095, 2097

2300 Series (Dial-A-Nap & Rugulator)
2315 (Sport), 2325 (Casual), 2375 (Everyday), 2385 (Chic) Wild Moss bag pattern, moss green color

3200 / 3300 / 3400 / 3500 / 3700 Series
3210, 3220, 3240, 3360, 3320, 3325, 3330,3331, 3335, 3440, 3450, 3460, 3470, 3560, 3710, 3711, 3715, 3720, 3721, 3760
3690AV
3712

5000 Series (Self-Propelled)
5040, 5047, 5060, 5070, 5071, 5077, 5085
5134, 5150, 5175


C Series
C2031, C2032, C2035, C2037, C2045, C2055, C2057, C2063, C2065, C2066, C2094, C2125, C2132A, C2194, C2720, C2740, C2770, C4046

S Series (Sanitaire- Domestic “Blue Line”)
S634
S639, S644, S645, S648, S650, S652, S654, S655, S657, S658, S659, S660, S661, S662, S663
S647A
S670A-1
S677A-1
S678
S782, SC785AT
S785AT-1


SC Series (Sanitaire--Commercial “Red Line”)
SC675, SC679, SC681, SC684, SC688, SC699, SC886, SC887, SC888, SC899
SC689A
SC881A
SC882A, SC883A
SC785AT-1
SC5815A
SC5845A
SC6600, SC6600A (ProTeam)
SC9150, SC9150A, SC9150B, SC9180


Post# 365420 , Reply# 3   1/20/2017 at 20:25 (2,623 days old) by ronni (USA)        

Here's a copy of the 200-series upright manual cover with the "flying E" logo. It's either from the late '50s or early '60s.

  View Full Size
Post# 365422 , Reply# 4   1/20/2017 at 21:18 (2,623 days old) by EurekaFan (Wisconsin)        
Wow!!

Thanks so much for all of that information! This is going to be super helpful. Thanks again!

Post# 365451 , Reply# 5   1/21/2017 at 12:17 (2,622 days old) by ronni (USA)        

You're welcome!

You may also be interested in Eureka floor polishers. Two models I found referenced online were the Model 10 and the Model 20.

I don't know if Eureka made carpet shampooers prior to the 1980s with the Eureka branding. There were some produced in the Sanitaire line (Sanitaire Heavy Duty Blue vacuum cleaners were first offered to consumers in the 1950s. Then, in 1972, Eureka launched the Sanitaire products for commercial users).


Post# 365494 , Reply# 6   1/22/2017 at 15:19 (2,621 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
Hi Harrison,

You can get a nice record of the history and development of the Eureka Company by looking at some of the advertisements they put out over the years. I'll try to post a bunch of them for you over the next few months...hopefully in chronological order so you can see how the product line evolved over the years.

Click on the button that says "View Full Size" so you can read the content of the advertisement.

Here is a print advertisement from 1946, just after World War II ended:



  View Full Size
Post# 365653 , Reply# 7   1/26/2017 at 02:40 (2,618 days old) by TheSpiritOf76 ()        
EurekaFan...

Let me post some paperwork that might just flip your switch! I am pretty much the resident Eureka lover here. Enjoy!

 

Jae

The Eureka Empress!


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 20         View Full Size
Post# 365654 , Reply# 8   1/26/2017 at 03:35 (2,617 days old) by pr-21 (Middletown, OH)        

pr-21's profile picture
Thank you for posting these photos. Eureka at its very best. Brings back memories.
I have the 2070 in Blue and my aunt wanted a new vacuum when she built her new home and she had seen my vacuum and I took her to the vacuum store and she purchased the
2071D, which was just like mine only in the cream color.


Sincerely,

PR-21
Bud


Post# 365667 , Reply# 9   1/26/2017 at 16:47 (2,617 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
wow...thank you for those gorgeous Eureka beauty shotssssssss

...*faints*...bang....

EurekaPrince


Post# 365674 , Reply# 10   1/26/2017 at 19:51 (2,617 days old) by EurekaFan (Wisconsin)        
Awesome!!

Those are so cool! If you have more please post them!

Post# 365682 , Reply# 11   1/26/2017 at 21:45 (2,617 days old) by TheSpiritOf76 ()        
Certianly EurekaFan....

I would be more than happy to share..


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Post# 365683 , Reply# 12   1/26/2017 at 21:53 (2,617 days old) by ronni (USA)        

Great pics!

I noticed that some of the model designations have letter suffixes. Did that indicate an update or alternate iteration as Hoover's model suffixes did (e.g. was there a 1660-A along with the 1660-B)?


Post# 365686 , Reply# 13   1/26/2017 at 22:31 (2,617 days old) by TheSpiritOf76 ()        
as far as I have leardned with Eureka.....

With the letters, they indicate a change. like for example the model 2042. The first model 2042 A as released as part of the 1972 line, in Wild Moss green and Antique white, when the model was reissued in 1975 as a part of the new machines with the new Lexan plastic bases, they changed the colors and it became a 2042 B. That is all that is, the change could be one, or many specs of a machine.


Post# 365687 , Reply# 14   1/26/2017 at 22:41 (2,617 days old) by ronni (USA)        

Good to know. Thanks for the response.

Post# 365696 , Reply# 15   1/27/2017 at 07:09 (2,616 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
It's interesting. Sometimes Eureka changed the suffix letter to indicate a minor change (like colour), but other times they actually notched up the number itself. In 1974, I remember giving my dad one of the colour line-up inserts (posted above) from the Home Furnishings Daily Chicago Housewares Show special edition. It shows the great upright lineup that topped Consumer Reports tests in 1973 - Models 2042, 2082, 2072, etc. I wanted Dad to buy the deluxe Cordaway Rugulator 2082. When he brought it home a few weeks later, it was a 2083: the difference? a little indentation on each side of the metal base plate which were called Edge Kleeners. Eureka even added little decals on each side of the gold base to advertise the enhancement.

Another interesting thing about model numbers in the 1960's. As Eureka approached 1960, its two main vacs had Model Number 260 (Automatic Upright) and 960 (Rotomatic Canister). Then as they approached 1970, the Vanguard upright had model number 2070.

Eureka. The very best in vacuum cleaners.

Those were the days, my friend. :-(


Post# 365701 , Reply# 16   1/27/2017 at 09:01 (2,616 days old) by kloveland (Tulsa)        
Eureka not the one in AR!

kloveland's profile picture
Anyone seen the passion play?

Hmm! I do know where I can get Eureka 1489 from reply #11 pic #11. I may go get it tomorrow. Even though I’m not a die-hard Eureka person I do have/like the Vanguard, and model 1265 from pic # 15 reply #7 and one similar to model 1428 reply #11, 14. I just sold model 2215 to a fellow collector on here and I know he will happy with it!

Thanks for posting Jae. Not many people take the time or have the knowledge to post advertisements like this and I find them fascinating.


Post# 365774 , Reply# 17   1/29/2017 at 02:38 (2,615 days old) by TheSpiritOf76 ()        
EurekaFan...

I decide to take some good pictures of the best of the best, the pride and joy of the Vacuum Gallery here at Jae Place! So, for your viewing pleasure, the VERY BEST of my Eureka uprights!

 

From left to right,

1.Model 250A '55

2.Model 260 '59 Gold and Green 50th anniversary edition.

3.Model 265A '67 The Cordaway

4.Model 2081B '72 The Vanguard

5.Model 2070D '72

6.Model 2083A '74 Golden Powertouch

7.Model 2042A '73

8.Model 2385A '76 Wild Moss Continental "Chic" 

9.Model 2325A '76 Wild Moss Continental "Casual"

10.Model 2093A '78 Brandywine Cordaway

11.Model 4036A '80 Widetrack

12.Model 2091A '82


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 10         View Full Size
Post# 365780 , Reply# 18   1/29/2017 at 07:22 (2,614 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
Amazing Eureka upright collection, Jae! Very jealous!!!!

Looking at the Automatics 250 and 260, I could see now how easily these Eurekas would have scared me half to death as a child. The headlights and the whole look of the motor heads make them look like some terrifying mechanical monsters - especially when the headlights are turned on! Yikes!!!!! The later Vanguards and round Continentals look less menacing!

It's no wonder many of us vac fans were terrified of these machines as toddlers... :-(



Post# 365791 , Reply# 19   1/29/2017 at 09:41 (2,614 days old) by vacuumlad1650 (Wauponsee, IL)        
Jason

vacuumlad1650's profile picture
I've never been quite the Eureka expert... What year(s) would the Eureka 2050 have been produced?
Andy


  View Full Size
Post# 365830 , Reply# 20   1/29/2017 at 17:51 (2,614 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
I would date the 2050 to the same years as the 2070 Vanguard: circa 1970 to 1972.

Post# 365843 , Reply# 21   1/29/2017 at 18:57 (2,614 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)        
Eureka

crazykirbydude's profile picture
Here's a random 80's Eureka...

  View Full Size
Post# 365943 , Reply# 22   1/31/2017 at 19:07 (2,612 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        
Here is an Eureka advertisement from 1953....

eurekaprince's profile picture
This is when Eureka introduced a "tub" style canister cleaner called the "Roto-Matic" because the hose swivelled 360 degrees on the top of the tub.....



  View Full Size
Post# 365944 , Reply# 23   1/31/2017 at 19:17 (2,612 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        
And here is another print advertisment from 1956....

eurekaprince's profile picture
...which shows an improved Roto-Matic canister in red, plus a larger Super Roto-Matic and a new Super Automatic Upright Cleaner....

  View Full Size
Post# 365952 , Reply# 24   1/31/2017 at 22:44 (2,612 days old) by TheSpiritOf76 ()        
I have one of those small Roto-Matics....

Mine is dated 1954. It is in perfect condition, even has a brand new, genuine, vintage Eureka paper bag, from the correct era. I just need a hose for it (excuse the pics of the old vacuum room, lol).


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Post# 365959 , Reply# 25   2/1/2017 at 05:57 (2,611 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
Wow! That IS in excellent condition! Hope you find a hose to complete the package.

If I remember correctly, Eureka had a winner with the Roto-Matic as it was not that expensive and was highly rated in Consumer Reports at the time.

I guess it was Eureka's answer to the GE Swivel Top tub vac of the same era.


Post# 366589 , Reply# 26   2/11/2017 at 20:59 (2,601 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
And here is a photo of a Eureka vacuum display from a store from about 1957 or 1958 or 1959. The store is already displaying the new 50th Golden Anniversary (1909-1959) editions of the Eureka Super Rotomatic Golden Crown canister (in green, cream and gold) and the green and gold Super Automatic 260 upright cleaner in the centre with the matching cardboard tool carrier. The anniversary editions were already being advertised in 1957, two years before the actual anniversary, so it's hard to tell exactly which year this photo is from.

Wish I had this in colour!


  View Full Size
Post# 366602 , Reply# 27   2/12/2017 at 08:37 (2,600 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)        
Did they still make the

round canisters in 1959? My parents received a pea green canned ham Mobile-Air vibra-beat for a wedding gift in '59.

Post# 366615 , Reply# 28   2/12/2017 at 13:02 (2,600 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
I'm pretty sure the Super Roto-Matics were still being made at the same time as the new Mobile-Aires. Probably into the first years of the 1960's when the Eureka line-up went all Lagoon Blue. There was a blue version of the Super Rotomatic barrel vacuum, which means it was being sold alongside the other blue canisters and uprights.

Post# 366629 , Reply# 29   2/12/2017 at 16:27 (2,600 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)        

countryguy's profile picture
Were the rug and floor nozzles for the Golden Crown made different for the USA than for Canada? My aunt had a Golden Crown and those 2 nozzles did not have the metal elbow piece as shown in the picture. Instead it had the 3rd curved wand.

Gary


Post# 366630 , Reply# 30   2/12/2017 at 16:49 (2,600 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
Hi Gary,

I don't think the separate curved wand was introduced until 1959 when the Vibra-Beat carpet nozzle made its debut. Eureka must have thought it would be easier to store 3 separate floor "heads" (bare floor brush, regular carpet nozzle, Vibra-Beat nozzle) if the necks were removed from the nozzles entirely, and replaced by one single curved wand. Marketing wise, Eureka touted the system as making it easier to change floor heads: you simply swivelled any of the 3 heads 180 degrees to the "bottoms up" position which lined up a nipple on the curved wand with a notch in the ring of the attachment neck. This released the tool from the curved wand. You did the reverse to secure another tool. Consumer Reports did not like the system - they found the tools had a tendency to rotate to the "release" position and fall off when being carried between tasks!

Since there was a brief period when both Roto-Matic canisters and Vibra-Beat canisters were both being produced, it makes sense that the later Roto-Matics had the separate curved wand too since it was more economical to manufacture one version of bare floor brush for all Eurekas. The tool set for our blue Super Automatic upright had a separate curved wand for just the floor brush! :-)


Post# 366632 , Reply# 31   2/12/2017 at 16:57 (2,600 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
That was a long-winded way of saying: I don't think there was a difference in "tool system" between the two countries...there was a change in tool system time-wise with the arrival of a third floor head, the Vibra-Beat, in 1959.

Post# 366633 , Reply# 32   2/12/2017 at 16:59 (2,600 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
That was a long-winded way of saying: I don't think there was a difference in "tool system" between the two countries...there was a change in tool system time-wise with the arrival of a third floor head, the Vibra-Beat, in 1959.

Post# 366723 , Reply# 33   2/13/2017 at 19:29 (2,599 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)        

countryguy's profile picture
As far as I know my aunt's Golden Crown did not have the vibra beat nozzle. She had the Eureka storage chest and I looked in there many times just to have a look at her Golden Crown and I never saw a vibra beat nozzle but it did have the 3rd curved wand.

Post# 366724 , Reply# 34   2/13/2017 at 19:44 (2,599 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
I know. It may have not come with the VB nozzle, but because Eureka was already selling the new canned ham vac, all the tools across the Eureka line up had to use the new "neckless" tools. It was probably cheaper to have common "neckless" tools included with all Eureka vacs from 1959 forward, including the old Rotomatics.

Post# 379936 , Reply# 35   10/18/2017 at 11:18 (2,352 days old) by spr75wshs (Lexington Park)        

Reviving a zombie thread.

Thanks for the info, not a collector, just an everyday user.

Was looking for info on my Old Ironsides, a red Eureka Model 1757 A, which my wife and I got as a wedding present in 1982 and came across this forum. Still runs good. Have replaced the hose once and had the power head rebuilt once (both about 14 years ago). The exterior white rigid plastic parts have gotten brittle, so are well duct taped.

Would not trade it for a new one, though.


Post# 379937 , Reply# 36   10/18/2017 at 11:36 (2,352 days old) by Real1shep (Walla Walla, WA)        

Great thread for Eureka fans! I especially like the 'Widetrack' models in appearance.....have no idea how good they were.

 

Kevin


Post# 379952 , Reply# 37   10/18/2017 at 17:57 (2,352 days old) by kenkart ()        
I have

A bunch of Eurekas, From early straight suction uprights, to early 80s self propelled,I will try and take some pictures, I know I have 2 or 3 Straight suction uprights, a Model G upright, a model M upright,a D-272 that needs a handle grip, a 250,260,several mid to late 60s uprights, a 800,both versions of the 800a,a few later 800 style machines, several 900 style machines, one including my kindergarten teachers 910 B that she bought new in October 1962 at Leflers Sewing Center in Lenoir NC,a Empress and a few more canned ham machines including the first a 1010.

Post# 426397 , Reply# 38   6/2/2020 at 13:39 (1,394 days old) by bohrium (Maryland)        
hose for Eureka 1660?

Does anyone know the part number for the hose for the 1660? Its the non-electric one and the Hesco diagram doesn't show it. Alternately, where can I get one of the quarter-turn locking hose for my sweet 16.

Post# 438324 , Reply# 39   2/7/2021 at 19:34 (1,144 days old) by nic_stephens (Springfield, mo)        
Hose for eureka 1660

Bohrium, I will look it up for you.

Post# 438334 , Reply# 40   2/7/2021 at 23:08 (1,144 days old) by superocd (PNW US)        
Interesting to see that Sanitaire name went further back...

than I thought it did. I've heard that Eureka began the Sanitaire name in 1972, but several posts back it mentions that Sanitaire first appeared in the 1950s as a consumer brand.

I've got a 1973 Sanitaire 641 that I've just restored...I finally got a brushroll for it (VG1) as it requires the extinct square-end type, and the brushroll that came with it probably saw better days during the Reagan Administration. I think that my metal-base Sanitaire is pretty rare, since I've only seen the plastic-based kinds until I happened to find my 641. Come to think of it, it seems like, according to a quick search on eBay, that Eurekas before the 1980s are hard to come by yet there are plenty of 1960s/1970s Hoover Convertibles. Did Convertibles simply last longer?

What did a Sanitaire look like before the commercial line was released in 1972? Anybody have one in their collection?



Post# 438468 , Reply# 41   2/10/2021 at 11:35 (1,141 days old) by kirbyklekter (Concord,Ca.)        
I believe that

The blue pro-line came before the red commercial red Sanitaire. They were a little fancier than the red models. A friend has a 15" wide ESP Widetrack that by todays standard is a Sanitaire painted moss green.

Post# 438999 , Reply# 42   2/21/2021 at 16:59 (1,130 days old) by DadsVacuum (nh)        

Thanks for all the posters for great historical information. Heres my 1st posting and contribution. Even thou Dad was a Hoover Dealer, I found some cool literature for Eureka on some very old vacs. Attached is a factory shipping history by model since 1910 and also illustrations from Models 9-10-11. This is in a catalog dated 1958

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Post# 448448 , Reply# 43   12/7/2021 at 15:01 (841 days old) by texbodemer (Mountlake Terrace)        
Can you share more of this document?

texbodemer's profile picture
Hi! @DadsVacuum can you share more of this document? Next to the parts picture is more stuff I'd love to see

Post# 449244 , Reply# 44   1/13/2022 at 20:30 (804 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)        

hoover300's profile picture
No wonder the models 2-6 have pretty much no surviving examples, they only were made a few months! What did the models F, B, and D look like? I think the F was a cross between the 9 and 10, sold as the Special. The D can't be the D272, as that is covered later in the page.

Post# 449245 , Reply# 45   1/13/2022 at 20:33 (804 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)        

hoover300's profile picture
Never mind I think I just realized, the B is the Special 9-10 cross, and the F is the Auto Cleaner, which is a model 10 motor unit with a tiny handle, bag, and no wheels.
Please correct me if I'm wrong


Post# 449248 , Reply# 46   1/14/2022 at 15:09 (803 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
A scan of that pamphlet would be great!

Post# 452766 , Reply# 47   5/18/2022 at 20:49 (679 days old) by Paul (USA)        

Does anyone have post-1958 model timelines of each Eureka series? I'd like to see how model numbers for each were assigned. For example, the 1440s seem to be the oldest of the 1400 Series, followed by the 1450s, 1420s, 1400s & 1470s. Or maybe some model numbers were paired in correlation with each other for each time frame such as 1440s-budget & 1450s-standard?

How many styles of Eureka hoods were there, and were they identified by names? For example, I've noticed that some headlight lenses are slimmer while others of the same period are larger.

Also, did Eureka name its colors like Hoover? The only one I'm familiar with is lagoon blue of the '60s & '70s; or was that a collector's impression?


Post# 453191 , Reply# 48   5/31/2022 at 15:43 (666 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)        

hoover300's profile picture
Well, I now own the F, B, and D. The F is a Standard, but with a model G front wheel setup and a model G handle. It also has ridges carved into the nozzle, and has a caster on the back.

The B is a Special, which uses the same caster/motor setup as the F, but with a reused model 9 head casting. Some had the handle painted yellow to match the tag. Sold as the economy model.

The D is also known as the Deluxe, the predecessor to the K. The last Eureka to have a sleeve bearing motor, but the first to have a flat headed nozzle with an embedded brush. The handle to motor terminals were quick disconnect like the model 11. Thread of all of these and more coming soon, I digitized that page from Dadsvacuum showing production dates and serial #s.


Post# 453192 , Reply# 49   5/31/2022 at 16:06 (666 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Thanks Kieran!

Post# 459528 , Reply# 50   1/17/2023 at 13:59 (435 days old) by Paul (USA)        
Fred Wardell Bio

From the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF DETROIT ...


Fred Wardell was the founder of the Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company. Born in Toronto, Canada on March 30, 1866, the family moved to Detroit in 1873 where the father, Orrin Wardell, established Wardell & Sons, auctioneers. In 1902 Wardell left a 20-year career with his father to sell vacuums for Stecher Electric and Machine Company. In 1909, Stecher made a vacuum for him that he named “Eureka” and in 1910 he opened his own company, Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company, which at first sold other companies’ vacuums.

Joined by four partners, Wardell began to make his own vacuums in a small factory he bought in 1913. That year he also became chairman of the newly formed Vacuum Cleaners Manufacturers Association. By the early 1920s he opened the company headquarters and retail outlet in a building on Broadway near John R streets. The Eureka Building still stands today. During this time Wardell created an army of door-to-door salesmen, at one time numbering 3,000.

Over two million vacuums were sold by 1927, making Eureka the second-best selling vacuum in the United States, behind Hoover. Beginning in 1930, Eureka expanded its production of appliances, later manufacturing items such as heaters, air conditioners, and school furniture.

Wardell had another interest, real estate, and in 1925 built the Wardell Apartments (today the Park-Shelton) at Woodward Avenue and Kirby Street. In 1939 Wardell turned over the running of the company to chief of sales for Nash-Kelvinator, Henry Burritt. Among Wardell’s other pursuits were memberships in the Detroit Athletic Club, the Oakland Hills Country Club, the Pine Lake Country Club and the Detroit Golf Club.

After a long career with Eureka, Fred Wardell passed away on January 13, 1952. He is buried in the Wardell Mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit. The Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company changed hands several times throughout the 20th century, at one time owned by Electrolux. Currently the Eureka vacuum is manufactured by the Midea Group.


Post# 459535 , Reply# 51   1/17/2023 at 19:34 (435 days old) by Paul (USA)        
From HistoricDetroit.org

Fred Wardell moved to Detroit from Canada in 1909 and founded the Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Co., naming it after the exclamation of great discovery. Within about a decade, Eureka was the country’s No. 2 vacuum manufacturer.

This retail store and company headquarters, located on Broadway Avenue near John R Street, opened in early 1920. Shortly afterward The Eureka Vacuum Company moved in; along with Wardell & Son Auctioneers. At the summit of the building is the letter E carved in stone. In 2003, the building was renovated with a restaurant on the ground floor and five full floor residential on the upper five stories called the Eureka Lofts.

By 1931, the company’s factory, designed by the firm Beckett & Akitt, was pumping out 2,000 machines a day on Holden Street and Hamilton Avenue, which is Lodge Freeway service drive today. When it opened in 1919, it was called the largest vacuum cleaner factory in the world.


1521 Broadway Avenue, Detroit


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Post# 459536 , Reply# 52   1/17/2023 at 19:36 (435 days old) by Paul (USA)        
2,000,000th Eureka

Monday, Dec. 26, 1927

At the Detroit factory of the Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Co., President Fred Wardell long ago established the conveyor system for assembling his vacuum cleaners. Over continuously moving belts and rollers there pass to workers the switches, wire, handles, motors, wheels, aluminum casings, bags and other parts that make up the Eureka cleaner. The system produces 1,500 cleaners a day, 300,000 a year. Last week it halted for a few moments for a ceremony— the assembling of the 2,000,000th vacuum cleaner which the company has manufactured since President Wardell created it in 1910. The 2,000,000th machine is resplendent. The parts are goldplated, the case studded with brilliants, the dust bag made of silk. It works, but it will not be sold because President Wardell has offered it as a sales trophy to that one of 22 branches which sells the most cleaners during October, November and December.



Post# 459559 , Reply# 53   1/18/2023 at 17:43 (434 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
Wow! Thank you for this history Paul! Now we know where a Eureka vacuum museum should be located!!! 😀

Post# 459560 , Reply# 54   1/18/2023 at 18:37 (434 days old) by Paul (USA)        

You're welcome, Brian! For sure, that's where the Eureka Floor & Surface Cleaner Museum should be - with perhaps a Wardell Room, a Burritt Room, a Schaefer Room, and your curator's quarters of course! 😀

Post# 459565 , Reply# 55   1/18/2023 at 19:00 (434 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
Haha!!! 👍👍👍🤣🤣🤣

Post# 460592 , Reply# 56   2/23/2023 at 14:25 (398 days old) by Paul (USA)        
Photo of Mr. Wardell & Articles of Eureka's Early Years

I was able to download this information from the web. I didn't realize that Eureka vacuum cleaners were actually made by the Stecker Electric Company of Detroit from 1910-1920. I think you'll find the articles and photo of Mr. Wardell interesting. Enjoy!

Photos

1. Fred Wardell
2. 1919 ELECTRICAL REVIEW new plant article & photo
3. 1920 MICHIGAN MANUFACTURER & FINANCIAL RECORD news release
4. 1930 INDUSTRIAL DETROIT article p.1
5. 1930 INDUSTRIAL DETROIT article p.2



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Post# 460603 , Reply# 57   2/23/2023 at 16:51 (398 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
Wow! Fascinating! Thanks again, Paul!

Post# 460633 , Reply# 58   2/24/2023 at 13:13 (397 days old) by Paul (USA)        

You bet, Brian. Here's some more.

1. Majestic Building (1896-1961: 1011 Woodward Avenue, Detroit) - site of Eureka's original office suite
2. 1912 May - PUBLIC SERVICE magazine - article
3. 1912 May - PUBLIC SERVICE magazine - ad
4. 1918 Nov. BUILDINGS & BUILDING MGMT. ad
5. 1920 FACTORY mgmt. magazine, Vol. 24 p.918
6. 1924 Sep. DETROIT PURCHASOR p.34 article
7. 1924 Sep. DETROIT PURCHASOR p.35 article
8. 1924 Sep. DETROIT PURCHASOR p.36 article
9. 1927 Feb. 5, SALES MGMT. Vol. 12, No. 3 - F.D. Wardell article p.1
10. 1927 Feb. 5, SALES MGMT. Vol. 12, No. 3 - F.D. Wardell article p.2
11. 1927 Feb. 5, SALES MGMT. Vol. 12, No. 3 - F.D. Wardell article p.3
12. 1927 Feb. 5, SALES MGMT. Vol. 12, No. 3 - F.D. Wardell article p.4
13. 1927 Feb. 5, SALES MGMT. Vol. 12, No. 3 - F.D. Wardell article p.5



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Post# 460635 , Reply# 59   2/24/2023 at 13:31 (397 days old) by Paul (USA)        
Model 1 Ad!

1911 Mar. 18 - THE MICHIGAN MANUFACTURER ad

  View Full Size
Post# 460769 , Reply# 60   2/28/2023 at 01:13 (394 days old) by kirbyklekter (Concord,Ca.)        
Mr.Wardell

Freddy to friends and family was quite a handsome bloke. I'm sure the girls chased him all over the school playground growing up, just sayin' lol.

Post# 460772 , Reply# 61   2/28/2023 at 01:41 (394 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)        

hoover300's profile picture
Omg..... That Eureka 1 has no front cap... Meaning Don Aslett has a model 2 as his does. I wonder if any still exist


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