Eureka and Kenmore history

Hans was referring to the Canister vacs. Those earlier ones are referred to as tanks.
I don't know much about the pre power nozzle Eureka canisters but in 1972 Eureka introduced a new line of canisters (3 models) with Eureka's first power nozzle. The sage green and off white colored canned ham was top of the line, the orange and white square body with power selector was mid range and the harvest gold and white was budget. All 3 power nozzles were the same woodgrain no headlight. In 1974 the added the power nozzle to their very popular small square canister called the princess. It was an all red canister with a matching red power nozzle with black label. Also in 1974 they added a head light to power nozzle for their higher end canisters. all of these canisters model numbers all started with a 1200 series number. In 1976 or 78 they made a few slight changes in the power nozzle like bigger plug, bottom plate now has screws VS snap tabs, and a plastic neck instead of plastic, and built in cord holders on the wands. During this time they also introduced a new line of canisters. Still basically the same as before but with a color change and added metal brush roll (VG1) to the top of the line. These were all a burgundy glossy color called the Brandywine line. This line also had a canned ham model. These power nozzles while the exact same as before now sporting a pretty glossy brandywine label. Sometime in the early 80s they made a new line with model number series changing from 1200 to 1700 series and with that came the VGII brushroll. There were many many many models from 1972- about 1992.
Some of the very last ones are the all white and all black and all orangeish red models called the ironside and quiet kleen and vactronic. If you run across any of these with a 3 digit model number starting with a 6 that means they were K-mart exclusives.


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Post# 355529 7/6/2016 at 20:34 (2,851 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)
Checkrate/Likes Hey everyone, I'm wondering if those familiar with some history from these manufacturers could provide some information, surprisingly, there's really not a lot of information from a google search. First, I would like to know more about the canister vacuums made by Eureka between the 1950's and the 1970's or 1980's. I know they came out with the canned ham series of canisters, and I think eventually there was a version of that vacuum that used a power nozzle. There were two other canister series that Eureka made, and I can't remember what they were called, but, what was unique about each of the three different series? The vacuum museum has a canned ham from the 1950's, love that vacuum, it has an excellent sounding motor. Now, regarding Kenmore vacuums. I know in the 1970's was when some of the best Kenmore canisters were produced. Does anyone know how many different models there were in the 70's? Did Sears release new models each year or did each model have a run for a few years the way the Electrolux vacuums did? I've thought about maybe trying to acquire some Kenmore models from the 70's, but don't know what models to look for. Are bags even available for any of those older Kenmore and Eureka canisters? I would really love to know more about the older canisters from these brands.

Post# 355549 , Reply# 1 7/7/2016 at 06:38 (2,850 days old) by kenkart ()
Checkrate/Likes *To start with* Eurekas FIRST canister came out in 1952, the 800 Roto Matic, Dark green, with a dark green braided hose with I think either a red or white tracer, no wheels, you just set it in the middle of the room and used the swivel top without moving the machine...More history to come!

Post# 355550 , Reply# 2 7/7/2016 at 08:13 (2,850 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes *Hans,* What about the 1947 Eureka W-75 torpedo model, and the Eureka cardboard tank made for Montgomery Ward? You even posted the photo of it on your white Westinghouse range in the archives. Kenmore vacuums were made by Britman electric until 1958, when Sears negotiated a hostile takeover of them. Britman made their own motors. Sears had the employees make two years of parts, then shut down the factory. Whirlpool became the new supplier for Sears and began using Lamb motors. Of course you know all that Hans. You are Kencart, and the Kenmore cart tanks were made by Britman Electric.

Post# 355559 , Reply# 3 7/7/2016 at 10:44 (2,850 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)
Checkrate/Likes Hans was referring to the Canister vacs. Those earlier ones are referred to as tanks. I don't know much about the pre power nozzle Eureka canisters but in 1972 Eureka introduced a new line of canisters (3 models) with Eureka's first power nozzle. The sage green and off white colored canned ham was top of the line, the orange and white square body with power selector was mid range and the harvest gold and white was budget. All 3 power nozzles were the same woodgrain no headlight. In 1974 the added the power nozzle to their very popular small square canister called the princess. It was an all red canister with a matching red power nozzle with black label. Also in 1974 they added a head light to power nozzle for their higher end canisters. all of these canisters model numbers all started with a 1200 series number. In 1976 or 78 they made a few slight changes in the power nozzle like bigger plug, bottom plate now has screws VS snap tabs, and a plastic neck instead of plastic, and built in cord holders on the wands. During this time they also introduced a new line of canisters. Still basically the same as before but with a color change and added metal brush roll (VG1) to the top of the line. These were all a burgundy glossy color called the Brandywine line. This line also had a canned ham model. These power nozzles while the exact same as before now sporting a pretty glossy brandywine label. Sometime in the early 80s they made a new line with model number series changing from 1200 to 1700 series and with that came the VGII brushroll. There were many many many models from 1972- about 1992. Some of the very last ones are the all white and all black and all orangeish red models called the ironside and quiet kleen and vactronic. If you run across any of these with a 3 digit model number starting with a 6 that means they were K-mart exclusives.

Post# 355576 , Reply# 4 7/7/2016 at 14:53 (2,850 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes *pre powernozzle Eureka's* were the round canister top hose port roto-matic, Gold Crown, then the 1000 series style L bag canned ham Vibra-Beat, straight suction, or Princess style H bag series. Later Prince and Princess top line models had a vibra-beat. Then the Empress one and two. A line of 1600 series in the new front hose port style S bag in orange, and gold, and at least one in blue. I think the first gold rotomatic powerteam was called an Empress II. Variants of all were made for Montgomery Ward, and in Canada for Eaton's branded Viking. I have two Brandywines. A model 1279 that draws 9.5 amps, and a model 1290 canned ham. It draws 11.5 amps on high speed. Very heavy. Both have the identical VG 1 power nozzle with headlight.

Post# 355584 , Reply# 5 7/7/2016 at 16:27 (2,850 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)
Checkrate/Likes I don't know much about Kenmore canisters and even less about Eureka, but I will try to give a little info. In the early 70s the Kenmore canisters had a metal base and metal top. The Sears Best model had a two speed toggle switch and performance light on top. It also had an opening in the front of the lid where the attachments could be stored. The lesser models had pegs on top to hold them. Colors were avocado/white and a bluish gray/white. In 1972 the all plastic square versions came out. The TOL again was Sears Best and had a two speed slide switch and performance light on top. The lid had woodgrain trim on the top and opening it there was a tool caddy that could sit on top of the bag or attach to the top of the lid when in use. The lower end models usually had a separate compartment for the tools and some had woodgrain with lower ones having none. 1972-77 models were avocado green/yellow. Late 1977 I think was when they changed to two tone blue. 1979 was beige with orange bumpers. As far as bags, the 1972 and newer full size canisters use 5023/5033 bags which are still available at Sears (at least here) as type E. They are getting a little harder to find I think, no HEPA version exists that I know of, but some other bags for newer machines will fit. The older canisters use a different bag number that I can't recall at the moment. It's smaller, and is no longer available from Sears or aftermarket as far as I know. It appears that a Type E bag may fit though, the connection looks the same to me anyway. The 1984 and newer models with the swivel hose use 5055 which are still readily available as Type C paper or Q HEPA bags as those are what the new ones still use (at least until Panasonic discontinues making them). We shall see what Cleva decides to do on their new models for bags.

Post# 355606 , Reply# 6 7/7/2016 at 22:20 (2,849 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)
Checkrate/Likes *canned ham vibra beat* The vacuum museum actually has the canned ham with the vibra beat attachment, from what I heard, that attachment didn't really do much besides make a lot of noise, what I really like on that canister is the sound of the motor. I think it used an Ametek motor, and that same motor was also used in an airway I think, does anyone know which motor this was? It actually has a very similar tone to the Electrolux 1205, although of course they are completely different motors, but that Ametek motor had a great sound. At the convention, I actually fired up that canister and just sat and listened to it for a few minutes.