Old central vacs?

I remember Central Vac being a VERY big deal in the 1960s and 70s. We lived in West Central Wisconsin then, and there was a Mom and Pop type "Home Center" (anything and everything for the home, lumber, ect, kinda like a large hardware store) in the town that sold and installed Beam Central Vac.
Many of the homes and especially the larger homes in the town, built at that time were equipped with Central Vac.
I remember that the hoses that most everyone had at the time were a brownish dark beige,,and came with a Preco Power Brush, along with the Eureka style attachments, floor nozzle,extra wide floor nozzle, ect.
A neighbor several houses down from ours had a very large home with a large Beam unit in the garage. I could always tell whenever they were using it, even with their garage doors closed,,you could easily hear the very loud whine of that motor. Was just a kid then, so Of course id go knock on their door and ask if they needed any help vacuuming!
Over 35 yrs later, i went back to that neighborhood, and drove by that house, the garage doors were up, and that same exact Beam Unit was still there in the garage where it always was.


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Post# 126568 3/3/2011 at 17:34 (4,946 days old) by vac_whisperer ()
Checkrate/Likes I was wondering, how long have central vacuuming systems been around? I would prefer info about central vacs for household use, but any info is appreciated! Thanks! VW

Post# 126593 , Reply# 1 3/3/2011 at 20:32 (4,946 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)
Checkrate/Likes Since the 1920's.

Post# 126600 , Reply# 2 3/3/2011 at 22:10 (4,946 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes Actually central vacuums (then called stationary cleaners) have been around since about 1903 - Some of the first were made by the British Vacuum Cleaner Co (later called Goblin) with the first 3 being installed in Buckinham Pallace, Windsor Castle and the British house of Parliament. I know of several houses here that were built in 1912 and included stationary cleaners. Doug

Post# 126626 , Reply# 3 3/4/2011 at 10:36 (4,945 days old) by kenkart ()
Checkrate/Likes *E BAY !!!* I saw one on ebay a while back that was a 1914 or so...American Standard, I should have marked it but it was up North somewhere.

Post# 126635 , Reply# 4 3/4/2011 at 13:53 (4,945 days old) by normvac (COLUMBUS, OHIO)
Checkrate/Likes *they were big in Schools and Theaters* Early on Stationary Vacuums were used in bigger building. Schools, theaters, about 1909 on thru the teens. Then not so much in the 20's going forward. Never knew that they were in the British palaces and parliament. I know that the Henry Ford home in DearBorn Mich. had one. You can see the Brass inlets, in the baseboards and of course I had to ask. yes, Sir, was the answer. I also know, that a fine brick home in Bedford Pa. that was built by a Doctor in 1908. That my cousin bought in the early 70's had a Spencer system in it ! It worked even then. So they installed a new Vac U Flo to the pipes and are still using it today. At least as far as I know ! ? Norm

Post# 126639 , Reply# 5 3/4/2011 at 16:40 (4,945 days old) by vac_whisperer ()
Checkrate/Likes *two things:* How long have they been around for just household use? And, does anybody have a picture? VW

Post# 126654 , Reply# 6 3/4/2011 at 18:59 (4,945 days old) by Briankirbyclass (Eudora Kansas)
Checkrate/Likes I remember Central Vac being a VERY big deal in the 1960s and 70s. We lived in West Central Wisconsin then, and there was a Mom and Pop type "Home Center" (anything and everything for the home, lumber, ect, kinda like a large hardware store) in the town that sold and installed Beam Central Vac. Many of the homes and especially the larger homes in the town, built at that time were equipped with Central Vac. I remember that the hoses that most everyone had at the time were a brownish dark beige,,and came with a Preco Power Brush, along with the Eureka style attachments, floor nozzle,extra wide floor nozzle, ect. A neighbor several houses down from ours had a very large home with a large Beam unit in the garage. I could always tell whenever they were using it, even with their garage doors closed,,you could easily hear the very loud whine of that motor. Was just a kid then, so Of course id go knock on their door and ask if they needed any help vacuuming! Over 35 yrs later, i went back to that neighborhood, and drove by that house, the garage doors were up, and that same exact Beam Unit was still there in the garage where it always was.

Post# 126655 , Reply# 7 3/4/2011 at 19:01 (4,945 days old) by Briankirbyclass (Eudora Kansas)
Checkrate/Likes Meant to say extra wide floor brush.

Post# 126682 , Reply# 8 3/5/2011 at 04:06 (4,945 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes Thought you might like to see this one from my collection- Its a Goblin stationary cleaner from the 1940's . The hose was only 15' long. The idea being to have an outlet in every room. Doug

Post# 127775 , Reply# 9 3/18/2011 at 17:06 (4,931 days old) by sk81 ()
Checkrate/Likes My parents house was built in 1914, and had a central vac system. All thats left, however, are the hose connections, 1 on each level. They have the original plans for the house, and it talks about the central vac system, but doesn't mention a brand or anything :(