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Thread Number: 37319
/ Tag: Recent Vacuum Cleaners from past 20 years
Why am I fascinated with vacuum cleaners? |
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| Post# 398236 9/14/2018 at 17:17 (2,043 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
Today, one of my coworkers asked me why I'm fascinated with vacuum cleaners. I told him that it's a complicated thing and hard to explain. He was wondering if I grew up around vacuum cleaners.
I have to admit, I have Asperger's, and one perk of it is becoming interested in very bizarre things that most other people wouldn't care about, such as vacuum cleaners, particularly Fantoms. Anyway, it's very hard for me to share with others that I'm into vacuum cleaners. I have a feeling most people would be baffled by it. Vacuumland has helped a lot; it shows that I'm not the only one with such a weird hobby. What are some tips for explaining to someone that I'm into vacuums? | ||
| Post# 398238 , Reply# 1 9/14/2018 at 18:15 (2,043 days old) by completenutt (West Hollywood, California) | ||
My long time friend asked me the same thing just yesterday! Here's exactly what I told him:
HI Jeff! A couple of factors, I guess. The first is that I have always been fascinated by appliances since I was little (even before you knew me). I love figuring out how things work and then using them.. dishwashers, vacuums, cars.. I have a killer high end espresso machine now that I use multiple times daily.. so, that's one factor.
In addition, they're friggin' gorgeous examples of vintage engineering and quality craftsmanship that give a sense of thoughtfulness of a bygone era. I could never have afforded one new, the were the equivalent of over a thousand dollars each when they were new.. people went on payment plans. It was a time when people invested more in quality, or items were new and in demand and became coveted new ways of house keeping, etc.
So, needless to say they work well, will last for years, probably the rest of my life and I'll have to leave them to someone! And finally, they are an affordable hobby, and great subjects for my other hobby.. Photography!
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This post was last edited 09/14/2018 at 18:41 | ||
Post# 398241 , Reply# 2 9/14/2018 at 18:36 (2,043 days old) by KirbyClassicIII  (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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Niclonnic
Nick,
Count me in. Right now, I have 10 machines dating from 1969-1994. Yes, my obsession with vacs goes back to my childhood days. ~Ben | ||
| Post# 398251 , Reply# 3 9/14/2018 at 22:25 (2,043 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA) | ||
Tips for explaining something like that?
Keep it simple. You like the way they look, you like the way they sound, you appreciate their mechanical beauty, or whatever reasons you have, etc. Also, 'did you grow up around vacuum cleaners?' Isn't that kind of a silly question? Like, first of all, who didn't? And second, like, while I grant that's usually (and almost certainly) a factor, kids grow up around a lot of things and don't necessarily become obsessed with them. Anyhow, tip number 2 is to act like it's the most normal thing in the world. Especially if you're 'coming out' about it. Just come out and say it 'Oh yeah, I collect vacuum cleaners, it's my hobby.' Just like it's totally normal... even if you feel kind of awkward or embarrassed about it. To be fair, just remember that it IS pretty normal compared to some things. It's not like it's offensive or disgusting or something. Is it weird? Yes, but that's a good thing, it makes you unique. | ||
| Post# 398256 , Reply# 5 9/14/2018 at 23:16 (2,043 days old) by compactc9guy (Bathurst NB) | ||
special kind of hobby 
I have always been fascinated whit how things work why? how ? ect Is question i have in my mind . I love the quality ,styling ,sound ,feel of the older metal attachments , the hose .Also its older than me and works well like many older cars, it takes a special kind of people to appreciate those things and keep em in good shape .I told my friend yes i have 4 vacuums cleaner he said why 4 ?3 of them are older machine that i fix up for fun, i hate to see some thing go to waste if i can fix it i will.And its a fun hobby and photography plays into it also, i grew up whit people who like to have some thing well made and dont mind opening the check book to get it. it was a :when your older youll be able to afford such quality appliances . You need to make sure to get one whit the features you want, test it try it out ask question your the customer . And now i have 4 machine that i use and rotate weekly or daily when ever i want to play vacuum or shine em up or fix em ect vacuumland is golden for those reason . So for all this and more i collect vacuum in my special corner of the basement whit all my machine tools attachments booklets ect ect .
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| Post# 398271 , Reply# 6 9/15/2018 at 00:44 (2,043 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA) | ||
I just avoid telling people about it unless it happens to come up, or if I have someone coming over to my house. I tend to warn people before they come over so they're not overwhelmed and confused when they see the vacuums lol. I honestly have no clue why I've always been obsessed with vacuum cleaners, but it's always been this way. The very first thing I walked to was the vacuum cleaner.
This is something I've always wondered about really, why we're all into vacuum cleaners. I can't put my finger on what it is exactly that attracts me to them, but I feel like it does relate in some way to my desire to take things apart and figure out how they work, similar to a couple of other replies. It is also a relatively cheap hobby as another response mentioned, if I had the storage space and the money then I'd gladly have a large collection of electric cars, one of my other interests. But vacuum cleaners are much cheaper and easier to store than vehicles, so they're relatively easy to collect. I'm also into security systems for whatever reason, thankfully they're quite a bit smaller than vacuum cleaners. Getting back on topic, if it does come up then I usually mention it casually. I don't make a big deal out of it. When I was a kid I was constantly picked on for it, so I've learned to really keep it a secret from most people. Over time I've realized that most people really don't think much of it, I actually mentioned it to a coworker recently and he said something along the lines of "Oh okay, that's not too weird. I've heard of much crazier things" Just enjoy your hobby and don't worry too much about what other people think, but learn who you can share it with. I've learned that not everyone needs or wants to know about me collecting vacuum cleaners, and that most people just wouldn't care either way. I only share it with people who I'm close to. | ||
| Post# 398276 , Reply# 7 9/15/2018 at 01:58 (2,043 days old) by completenutt (West Hollywood, California) | ||
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| Post# 398287 , Reply# 9 9/15/2018 at 12:56 (2,042 days old) by FanOfVacuums2 (Williamsburg, VA) | ||
I have always liked both mechanical things and things that are old. My interest is not limited to vacuum cleaners, but they are the easiest to collect because people often do not know what they have and it is not an expensive hobby because I flip certain models such as Orecks for a profit. As time went, I grew pretty fond of some of the older and more high-end types. I keep most nicer models from brands such as Kirby, Aerus/Electrolux, and so forth. From what I have come to understand, collecting stuff runs in my family, so I could have picked worse things to collect than household appliances.
For years, my closest friends had no idea that I collected vacuum cleaners. All I had to do was keep them from going into certain areas of my house and they never knew. In middle school, I did a great job at making people think that I had fairly normal hobbies. It wasn't until they stumbled upon FanOfVacuums2 on YouTube that they knew. After that, word spread pretty quickly that I was the vacuum cleaner guy. When I meet new people, I only mention what I do when I think that they will be genuinely interested in it. I have found more people who think that it is cool than I ever thought I would, so it is not a big deal. If I do not think that they will be interested and they ask me what I do and what my hobbies are, I conveniently forget to mention my collections and instead talk about my interest in cars, for example. | ||
| Post# 398308 , Reply# 10 9/15/2018 at 23:02 (2,042 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada) | ||
My reasoning for my fascination with vacuum cleaners is psychological: I grew up in a very emotionally “messy” family with a lot of chaos and anger and drama....lots of what is now known as “Cluster B Personality Disorders”.
As a child, the household vacuum cleaner symbolically provided a cleansing mechanism: I was mesmerized by how our Eureka upright magically made the carpet I played on clean and orderly. Somehow, I fell in love with any vacuum - these were magical machines that took away the dirt and the mess and left behind a cleaner, nicer world. And I guess it kind of just blossomed from there. I still get a calm feeling of satisfaction cleaning anything with a vacuum cleaner - especially dirty floors and carpets. The vacs are my heroes in the war against chaos and dirt. | ||
| Post# 398314 , Reply# 11 9/15/2018 at 23:21 (2,042 days old) by completenutt (West Hollywood, California) | ||
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Nicely said, Brian! So, what do you think of the newest Eurekas?
It's the only stick vac I've ever seen with a changeable hepa-type post motor filter!
Very cool CLICK HERE TO GO TO completenutt's LINK | ||
| Post# 398323 , Reply# 12 9/16/2018 at 07:36 (2,041 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada) | ||
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Post# 398500 , Reply# 16 9/20/2018 at 16:20 (2,037 days old) by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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Greg
See...at least you did something useful with your fascinations.
I too was drawn to all the same things. For me though, including fossil fuel burning vehicles. But I was never able to do anything practical with it. I just admire them, and enjoy playing with some of them. When something goes wrong with one of them, I have to run to a repairman like a kid going to their parent with a broken favorite toy. I really admire when people can learn what makes things tick. I just don't have an aptitude for it. Barry | ||
| Post# 398663 , Reply# 18 9/23/2018 at 22:05 (2,034 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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That really is a sad sight
I think it's the most wasteful thing to destroy things that are perfectly working. I understand that this forum is about the preservation of vacuum cleaners. It's not appropriate to talk about destroying vacuums.
Random memory: When I was in 6th grade (2005-06), it was an off period for me. It was my first year in middle school; I was going through puberty and thus, things were weird for me. I had the most bizarre interests which I don't enjoy looking back on, and one of them was watching "smashing stuff" videos on YouTube, back when it was a new thing. In these videos, kids would smash perfectly working electronics, and as an immature 11-year-old, I got a lot of pleasure out of watching them. But then, just before school ended, my mom caught me trying to watch another one of those videos. One thing she asked was: "Do you want to be a destroyer someday?" I said no, and she told me to stop watching the videos, and so I did. Just a random thought from possibly my least favorite period in life. | ||
| Post# 398798 , Reply# 19 9/26/2018 at 13:53 (2,031 days old) by Stark (Tazewell Va) | ||
Another thing about us enthusiasts  | ||
| Post# 398800 , Reply# 20 9/26/2018 at 15:05 (2,031 days old) by compactc9guy (Bathurst NB) | ||
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| Post# 398804 , Reply# 21 9/26/2018 at 16:19 (2,031 days old) by dysonman1 (the county) | ||
The vast majority of vacuum collectors are gay. I'm always shocked when a vacuum collector isn't. In my life, I would say with much certainty that I've met probably a thousand adult vacuum collectors in person. Can think of only 3 that were NOT gay. And have met only 1 woman who collected 'sweepers' (Miss Tania).
People ask me EVERY DAY "why did you start collecting vacuums?" I find no shame in collecting vacuums, in fact, I meet hundreds of people from all over the world every week BECAUSE I collect vacuums. I'm quite proud of my collection and what I've done with it. This is my pat answer to the 'why' question: Every dryer you've ever seen is a rotating drum. All dry clothes dry. The final design has been 'finalized'. No vacuum cleans the rug 100%. Most don't even get 50% of the dirt. As such, the design isn't finalized. There's all types (robot, stick, upright, canister, central etc.), none are perfect and none do the complete job. I'm always interested in how design affects efficiency. As such, the best vacuum design hasn't been designed yet - always looking for a better design to do a better job. | ||
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Post# 398806 , Reply# 23 9/26/2018 at 16:55 (2,031 days old) by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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Glad to see that mentioned
As a straight guy who likes vacuums, and vintage appliances, and lots of antique/vintage things for that matter, I've wondered that myself.
I never knew there was a connection until I discovered this site! I'm thankful that you've made me feel welcome here anyway. Everyone that I've communicated with through this site, as well as Automaticwasher, has been very helpful and pleasant! Barry | ||
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Post# 398809 , Reply# 25 9/26/2018 at 17:40 (2,031 days old) by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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Patrick
I did have an interest in vacuums and washing machines from a very early age!
I too, never had the slightest interest in sports of any kind. I always liked antiques and old houses and buildings. And music. I used to play the piano. My idea of fun was probably a toss-up...riding my bike, playing with my toy cars, or helping Mom with housework. I like to say that I was "raised by women". Kind of like "raised by wolves", except more domesticated. Lol My dad had health issues that kept him from being overly involved with me when I was young, so I was always much closer with my mom. Add an older sister, who was like a second Mom to me, and my two grandmothers into the mix, and the picture might become a little clearer. Both of my grandfathers had passed away long before I was born. And I have an older brother, but he wasn't around much during my formative years. I don't know. Maybe that's why I've never really fit in with any group or clique or anything. I wasn't interested in "guy" stuff. I wasn't gay. I probably had more in common with girls, but I wasn't good looking, so they had no interest in me. Geez! I'm a mess! Lol Barry | ||
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Post# 398814 , Reply# 27 9/26/2018 at 18:19 (2,031 days old) by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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Patrick
Thanks!
I'll consider myself hugged! I did manage to find myself a date/girlfriend once in a while, and one of them agreed to marry me. We've been together since 1987, and married since 2002. I often feel like she would prefer if I was a more manly-man, but she's stuck by me for this long! We're an odd little couple, but we can't complain too much. Barry | ||
| Post# 398820 , Reply# 28 9/26/2018 at 20:55 (2,031 days old) by gregvacs28 (U.S.) | ||
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I didn't realize ...
I need to get my gaydar repaired. Does anyone know of a factory repair service that does that? | ||
| Post# 398824 , Reply# 29 9/26/2018 at 21:21 (2,031 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA) | ||
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| Post# 398830 , Reply# 30 9/26/2018 at 22:45 (2,031 days old) by gregvacs28 (U.S.) | ||
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Based on descriptions above
It's sounds like that may well be the place to help me. | ||
| Post# 398835 , Reply# 31 9/27/2018 at 03:05 (2,031 days old) by electromatik (Taylorsville, North Carolina, U.S.A.) | ||
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@Stark Tazewell???!!! Woot! Woot! Born and raised near Grundy here. Howdy neighbor. Closest to home I've ever met. haha | ||
| Post# 398842 , Reply# 32 9/27/2018 at 13:33 (2,030 days old) by luxkid1980 (Richmond, Virginia) | ||
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@completenutt Good points. Those are the reasons I mostly collect vacuums. What type of photography do you enjoy.. film? | ||
| Post# 398910 , Reply# 33 9/29/2018 at 00:00 (2,029 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA) | ||
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I almost mentioned the gay connection but it almost felt out of place in this thread so I left it out. I've always felt like there was a connection to my sexuality and my interest in vacuums. Everyone in my family knew I'd turn out to be gay; I never played with the "boy toys" that I had, when on vacation or visiting family I always spent more time with my female family members while my male family members went fishing or camping, I was the only boy in the third grade after school knitting class.
I had plenty of toys when I was a kid but I was never interested in many of them, I always preferred the vacuum cleaner. My vacuums and my Easy Bake oven were my favorite toys as a kid. I think the vacuums almost provided an outlet for me when I wasn't interested in the toys I was given. | ||
| Post# 398938 , Reply# 34 9/29/2018 at 13:38 (2,028 days old) by completenutt (West Hollywood, California) | ||
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@ Jason From the same time when I was staying with my Grandmother during my parents divorce in the 80s, who was in her late 70s by then, when I first discovered her vintage (from the 40s or 50s, I think) Royal upright and became a vacuum enthusiast in my tweens, I also was encouraged by her to continue my taking pictures of anything and everything... She even bought me my first Minolta SLR camera back in the late 70s and would happily want to pay for the developing (at Fotomat back then!) and buy more film.
I dropped the photography hobby in high school and college, because by then she had passed away, and it was a very expensive hobby back in the day.. so much wasted film and costs for developing and film..
I rediscovered my passion for photography when I got my first DSLR Canon Rebel T3, and haven't stopped since!
I'm more prone to take still life shots.. architecture, plants and flowers, sculpture... and now have a new muse.. My Vacuums!
I don't do much portraiture, as I would need lighting set ups, etc. which I find cumbersome and limiting in freedom to just snap away at whatever catches my eye.
Regarding film, I'm all over the place.. I watch a lot of good TV stuff like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or other similar richly textured and often period piece productions that transport me to another era, where I can get lost in the stories.
Thanks for asking, btw!! CLICK HERE TO GO TO completenutt's LINK This post was last edited 09/29/2018 at 14:49 | ||
| Post# 398941 , Reply# 35 9/29/2018 at 14:06 (2,028 days old) by completenutt (West Hollywood, California) | ||
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This post has been removed by the member who posted it. | ||
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Post# 398942 , Reply# 36 9/29/2018 at 14:24 (2,028 days old) by Rivstg1 (colorado springs) |
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Completenut, | ||
| Post# 398975 , Reply# 37 9/30/2018 at 07:13 (2,027 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada) | ||
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I’ve often wondered about the “gay connection”, too.
One theory I have is related to my mother’s obsession with cleanliness. It was very difficult to get her approval and the vacuum cleaner seemed to be a tool she used to keep the house clean. So in a roundabout way, with the vacuum cleaner being low to the ground as the crawling toddler I was, it seemed that the way to mom’s approval was through this magical machine she used. Since my dad was absent a lot in my early years, mom’s presence in my life was far more prominent and “in your face” so to speak. Mom seemed to enjoy using this cleaning “toy” so I determined it would be beneficial for me to love the toy too. Beyond the attempt to placate a strong, scary overbearing mother, I also think there is a bit of a Freudian attraction to the phallic hoses and tubes of a vacuum cleaner, if you’ll pardon me for adding this graphic element to the conversation. | ||
| Post# 398981 , Reply# 39 9/30/2018 at 12:35 (2,027 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada) | ||
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Hi Patrick,
Thanks so much for chiming in on the discussion. It is certainly a welcome addition. I actually am quite grateful for the years of psychotherapy I invested in (partly paid by Canada’s government health insurance, thank goodness). Finding likeminded gay cleanerphiles on the internet has been the highlight of my self-acceptance and healing from shame. Though it took many, many years of talking, reading, learning and meeting similar souls, I finally find myself in a place of centredness and “bien dans ma peau” as they say in French (comfortable under my skin). Thank you to those wonderful people who have created Vacuumland and the VCCC - it’s an amazing support group for guys like me! Now...never mind the psychoanalysis...enjoy life guys! And keep on vacuuming! EP Brian | ||
| Post# 398982 , Reply# 40 9/30/2018 at 13:46 (2,027 days old) by gregvacs28 (U.S.) | ||
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It would probably be a good tool for mental health counselors to just refer their gay-conflicted clients to sites similar to this. "Oh, I see, you're dealing with attractions to other men, you should check out the vacuumland website." Problems solved. | ||
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Post# 399011 , Reply# 41 9/30/2018 at 21:43 (2,027 days old) by rivstg1 (colorado springs) |
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late comer to vacs.....
I"ve only become a 'collector' as of 3 months ago! I started my vac interest with an Oreck XL in 1996 era......I had allergy issues but only knew 'so' much. A Rainbow person performed a demonstration for me after my first purchase of the Oreck....uh...'I think I wasted $400 on the Oreck' was my thought. Later, I got a Rainbow E series in 1999. Very impressed...but it was a tool....to remove dirt./debris/dust thus helping my allergies. I was a 'Rainbow only' guy ...bought a new one in 2012 E series Black and was content.
This year, I watched videos on youtube of an engineer doing tests on Kirby HEPA bagged vacs....really got my attention....couldn't imagine the air quality was BETTER in a room...with a slightly USED HEPA bag in the Kirby ( shown form the tests).... I like old cars...and older Kirbys have that chrome/aluminum bumper look....I got interested. Ended up buying one...newer..then an older one.....then another....to polish up...restore...and use. Then I read up more...watched more videos...learned....and started colloecting them. So...I"m mainly a fan of Kirby/Royal and Rainbow....but I appreciate the others...and all YOUR passions on this site. So, I"m not a complete....vacuum nut, but I love this site for the aficionado's and their knowledge etc etc. As I"m learning, I"m unusual...I'm heterosexual... was originally 'into' vacs to remove dust=allergies....now, I ENJOY using them and cleaning....my wife lets me do all of it and doesn't fully know of my collection! haha . Later, I learned of the 'gay' connection here on this site and to these devices....odd true, but I don't have this since' I was a kid ' attraction to vacs I've heard of. I wonder if I'm REALLY in the minority since this is a 'late in life' addition. Kelton | ||
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