The James B Kirby story

Jim Kirby's first production model electric vacuum cleaner was the Frantz Premier of 1910. Frantz Premier launched the Ezee "grasshopper" in 1914. Jim Kirby was an expeditor for the US Government during World War 1. The Scott and Fetzer Co was making pistols. Jim Kirby met them, and introduced them to ways of making more pistols, faster, as they were needed for the war effort. The Frantz Premier Co sold in 1918 to General Electric (their motor supplier). Now called "The Premier Company", they continued to pay licensing fees to Mr. Kirby until they changed to the Premier Duplex design. Mr. Kirby, Mr. Scott and Mr. Fetzer collaborated on the Wireless Vac-U-Ette, which was the first cleaning machine made by Scott and Fetzer in 1919. Mr. Kirby invented and patented his ideas, and many companies used them by paying the fee for each machine made using something he patented. The Frantz Premier Co became "Apex" in 1918 after the sale to General Electric. Surprised there was no 'non-compete' clause in the sale.


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Post# 456325 8/30/2022 at 09:07 (603 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.)
Checkrate/Likes 4 Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size

Post# 456326 , Reply# 1 8/30/2022 at 09:36 (603 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *nice story* Amazing that he could satisfy so many women.

Post# 456330 , Reply# 2 8/30/2022 at 12:42 (603 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Vac MadMan.* If you want to know the history of Kirby email me at Ralextaber@mail.com. I have a lot of data on Mr. Kirby. Unfortunately my Kirby files are in Pennsylvania, with me here in Arizona, but the important records are on my computer. As for Jim Kirby, his first vacuum cleaner was a non electric, and was sold in 1906, when he was only 22 years old. View Full Size

Post# 456332 , Reply# 3 8/30/2022 at 13:33 (603 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *In our VCCC Newsletters,* we've been 'spotlighting' different vacuum companies. When we get around to Kirby, Alex, I'll call on you once more. You were a great help on Electrolux.

Post# 456333 , Reply# 4 8/30/2022 at 14:53 (603 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)
Checkrate/Likes 3 Jim Kirby's first production model electric vacuum cleaner was the Frantz Premier of 1910. Frantz Premier launched the Ezee "grasshopper" in 1914. Jim Kirby was an expeditor for the US Government during World War 1. The Scott and Fetzer Co was making pistols. Jim Kirby met them, and introduced them to ways of making more pistols, faster, as they were needed for the war effort. The Frantz Premier Co sold in 1918 to General Electric (their motor supplier). Now called "The Premier Company", they continued to pay licensing fees to Mr. Kirby until they changed to the Premier Duplex design. Mr. Kirby, Mr. Scott and Mr. Fetzer collaborated on the Wireless Vac-U-Ette, which was the first cleaning machine made by Scott and Fetzer in 1919. Mr. Kirby invented and patented his ideas, and many companies used them by paying the fee for each machine made using something he patented. The Frantz Premier Co became "Apex" in 1918 after the sale to General Electric. Surprised there was no 'non-compete' clause in the sale.

Post# 456334 , Reply# 5 8/30/2022 at 15:22 (603 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Alex, I'll also be in touch (again)* with Kirby in Ohio. This won't be for the next newsletter, though. We'll be focusing on the Convention.

Post# 456344 , Reply# 6 8/30/2022 at 23:24 (603 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Newsletter.* Hi John: Don't worry about it. There are more Kirby articles in past newsletters than you could shake a vacuum cleaner wand at.

Post# 456347 , Reply# 7 8/31/2022 at 08:31 (603 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *A few more* Photos... < > Photo 1 of 3 View Full Size

Post# 456348 , Reply# 8 8/31/2022 at 09:02 (603 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)
Checkrate/Likes 4 I always wondered how Jim Kirby met Mr. Frantz, who produced his first production model vacuum cleaner, years before he would meet Scott and Fetzer. He bought a house from him.

Post# 456354 , Reply# 9 8/31/2022 at 10:39 (602 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes 4 *Thanks, Alex.* You know I always want to make sure that all info is correct. There is so much incorrect stuff out there. It becomes 'truth'. must be careful.