Wow, I remember when Regina was selling these in the early 80s as the "Regina Steamer Carpet Cleaner"  lol  Minne.

Thanks for the information about Oreck and Regina.

A friend's brother, who was in college at the time to become a doctor, bought his mother one back in like 1984 approx.  If I remember right it was a beige color.

Her mother had no idea or interest in using it and it just sat there in the basement, complete with it's packing labels and the cord wrapped as it came from the factory.  And they don't store easily. When viewed from the side, they are quite sprawling taking up floor space about 36" by 12", which is quite a bit compared to say a Hoover Spin Vac.   Also, the parts are easily broken off of it. 

But if it was an industry changer being the first upright carpet cleaner, than my hats off in appreciation.  I remember the carpet cleaner rental market back in the 70s and early 80s.  It was big, heavy, cumbersome, and didn't clean all that great.  

All the wonderful people who've designed and refined things to make life better for all of us.  I'm so grateful.