Invention of the upright format

The cleaner which pioneered the format of the modern electric upright was the invention of an American, Murray Spangler. He suffered from asthma and designed a machine for collecting dust using an electric motor driving a rotating brush, a broom handle and a pillow case for the dust. Spangler was employed by Hoover, then an ailing saddle manufacturer, who was fast losing out to the growing motor-car industry. Hoover acquired the manufacturing rights in 1908, refined Spangler's original concept and, finding a ready market of homes wired for electric lighting, began mass-marketing his new 'electric suction sweeper'. Exports to Britain started in 1919 and Hoover quickly became established as the leader in cleaner design through intensive marketing and high-quality products. Booth, the original inventor of the vacuum cleaner, introduced his own electric models under the name BVC (British Vacuum Cleaner) and his domestic cleaners were sold under the brand name 'Goblin' after 1926.

Early upright models

Early upright cleaners were heavy and utilitarian, and generally cleaned using suction only. Most had the motor mounted horizontally behind a cast alloy fan chamber and suction nozzle, mounted on 4 wheels, with a 'pitchfork' handle in either wood or steel tube. By the 30s, most uprights had a fingertip switch mounted in the handle. Some upright models included a rotating brush in the nozzle, powered by a rubber belt off the end of the motor.

Click here for a comparative section diagram

'Stick' upright cleaners

An popular format in the 20s and 30s was the 'stick' upright which was cheaper and lighter, though lower-powered, that larger cleaners. Best described as an 'electric broom', the motor, fan chamber and bag were all mounted on the handle, with only the nozzle in contact with the floor. The 'Bustler' was a popular British model which was available well into the 1950s. Other examples included Goblin's 'Ideal' and 'Brownie' models in the early 30s. The first Electrolux cylinder cleaners (models 5, 6 and 10) could also be used as stick uprights due to their pistol grip handles. Stick uprights faded from the UK market in the 1950s as standard uprights became more affordable, although they continued to be popular in Europe and North America as back-up or apartment cleaners. Hoover UK re-launched the stick format in 1961 with the versatile 'Hooverette', lasting until c1980.

Success of the Hoover

In 1926, Hoover introduced the famous 'beats-as-it-sweeps-as-it-cleans' feature which cleverly incorporated the three established methods of cleaning carpets; beating, sweeping and suction cleaning. This innovation set the standard for the rest of the market to follow and was a feature of Hoover cleaners until the 1980s. Although Hoover's vacuum cleaners were very expensive, they carried the royal warrant and were used on the prestigious ocean liners of the late-1930s. They were also cleverly marketed in such advertisements as 'All women are equal in this' , 'Two brides' (both 1933) and 'No millionaire can buy better' (1947), implying that if you had scrimped and saved for the 'Hoover' you were at least equal in this respect to royalty and the well-to-do.

In 1935, Hoover's success was guaranteed by the launching of a British-built, compact, upright cleaner that retained the features and quality of their larger model, but at half the price. The subsequent success of the 'Junior' model (a version of which was still selling in the mid-1980s) was indicated by a biassing of the British cleaner market towards the upright format, in contrast to the rest of Europe.

New designs and materials

In the mid-1930s, Hoover USA pioneered the use of professional industrial design in vacuum cleaners by employing Henry Dreyfuss, one of the first industrial designers, to consider the design, manufacture and ease of use of their vacuum cleaner as a whole. The result was a new generation of cleaners, starting with the model 150 (1936)/160 (1938), which used less components, new light alloys and plastics and more benefits for the user. This development indicated the fact that by the late-1930s, at least in America, the electric vacuum cleaner was a common-enough product and required a 'design overhaul' to stimulate the next generation of sales. The 1939 Hotpoint 500 typified the methods that other manufacturers used to update the appearance of their appliances using streamline cladding. The basic component layout and manufacturing approach of these new models continued until the first 'clean-fan' plastics uprights in the mid-1960s, such as the Hoover Dial-A-Matic (UK- Convertible).

• 1920 Air-Way Sanitary System
• 1923 Hoover 541
• 1926 Eureka
• 1926 Hoover 700
• 1930 Goblin Wizard
• 1931 Bustler
• 1935 Hoover Junior 370
• 1935 Hoover 825
• 1936 Hoover Junior 375
• 1936 Vactric Junior
• 1938 Hoover Cleaning Ensemble 160
• 1939 Hoover 262
• 1939 Hotpoint 500
• 1940 Hoover 612
• 1948 Morphy-Richards
• 1950 Hoover Junior 119
• 1958 Hoover Junior 1334
• 1961 Hoover Hooverette

1920 Air-Way Sanitary System USA Toledo Popular, lightweight (for 1920s), though powerful, stick upright. Unique design with rear support wheels for when not in use. Fixed, swivelling floor nozzle. Airflow reversible via transparent dial (celluloid) through handle for crevice cleaning (by inverting machine) or attachements. Polished cast-alloy components. Pioneering use of inner disposable paper dust bag. From 1932, pioneering optional floor nozzle with separate motor. Earliest versions have wider bore handle/suction tube made of an early black phenol plastic. Design continued (in modified forms) in USA until 1942. Entry in Electrical Review, 1920. 40-page instruction manual illustrates a huge range of domestic cleaning tasks tackled including the removal of cockroaches and drying children's hair. Click here for a 1932 ad for a version manufacturered in the UK under the name 'Pneumode', showing the various operations.
1923 Hoover model 541 Canada Hamilton Second UK Hoover, replacing model 105 (1919) First Hoover cleaner to use aluminium die-casting. Utilitarian appearance and manufacture; black enamelled motor shell, grey aluminium chassis with light-switch, black solid wooden broom-type handle. Very simple, slow-running (though very quiet) motor with basic, brass, sleeve-type bearings, requiring regular greasing. Motor-driven brush-roll, though sold under the 'beats-as-it-sweeps-as-it-cleans' slogan! Supplemented by more expensive, polished aluminium Hoover model 700, 1926 - replaced by utility model 575, 1930. Click here for a 1924 advert and here for another showing tools in use.
1926 Eureka model 2X UK Tyneside Popular, though expensive design, launched in UK in 1926, though pre-'26 US versions are near-identical. Built in UK, c1932-c1939. Solid, well-engineered, suction-only design with wide, elegantly-curved nozzle. Polished cast-aluminium motor/fan housings and elegant nozzle with clip-on brush and polishing bar. Later versions (late-30s) have stove-enamel finish in white or cream. Hard solid rubber wheels and handle with brand logo. Wide range of tools replace main nozzle on front, including small nozzle with clip-on brush, dusting brush and 'sanitizor' container. In Electrical Review 1926. Distributed by Morphy-Richards in late-30s. Click here to see all the accessories.
1926 Hoover model 700 Canada Hamilton First Hoover with famous 'beats-as-it-sweeps -as-it-cleans' motor-driven agitator/brush unit. Also first with polished aluminium body. Replaced Hoover model 541. Switch integral with black steel handle. Orange triangular badge. Replaced by 1930 Hoover model 725 with snap-action handle and orange motor band. Basis for standard large Hoover upright until 1936 and continuing in modified form up to 1939. Click here and here for the complete ensemble. Click here for a car-cleaning image from a contemporary home instruction book. Click here to see the 'beats-as-it-sweeps -as-it-cleans' mechanism (actually from a model 375). Click here for an advert and here for another featuring the agitator. Click here for a very glamorous ad featuring the 1930 725 updated version. Click here for a spread from the user instructions showing uses for the attachments.
1930 Goblin Wizard model 30 UK Leatherhead Popular UK model, produced 1930-c1955 (600,000 from 1930-1937). 'Coronation' model 1937, post-1945 modifications. Tiny, lightweight upright with great versatility: converts to hand cleaner by removing two-part wooden handle and attaching bag to arm via straps; extension tube attaches to front for low furniture or out-of-reach places; cleaner inverts for polishing floors. Black phenol plastic motor casing and handle base. Twin outer and inner cloth bags.Cost in 1930s £6/6/6. Click here to see all the various functions of the Wizard, as illustrated in the instructions leaflet. Click here for a 1930 ad. Click here for the Wizard in the 1933 Goblin range broachure.
1931 Bustler UK Birmingham Popular, versatile and low-cost stick cleaner, converts to hand cleaner simply by removing long wooden handle, similar to Goblin G30 Wizard (1930). Rubber hand grip and switch above motor. Contrary to trends, earliest version with brown phenol plastic motor/fan housing and main floor nozzle, later primrose stove-enamelled aluminium. Produced well into 1950s, listed in Electrical Review 1932 and 1954.
1935 Hoover Junior model 370 UK Perivale Original Hoover Junior model built for UK market and first cleaner to come from UK Perivale factory. Produced for less that two years before model 375 from early 1935 to December 1936. Motor-driven agitator as larger Hoover models. All alloy motor body and fan casing. Removable oval badge/cover plate for insertion of tools. Compact size; 10-inch cleaning path, although overlong due to protruding rear wheels. Smaller size 225 watt horizontal motor and small diameter fan, compared to larger Hoover models, hence not as powerful suction. Turnscrew height adjustment. Cost new £10/15/-. Note that museum example has non-standard polished alloy front casting (original was aluminium paint finish as model 375 below) and late-1930s bag graphics. Click here for side, top and three-quarter views. Click here and here for full views. Click here to see the accessories and here as set up for use. Click here to see the boxed accessories and here for box graphics. Click here and here for instructions, here for letter from Hoover and here for Hoover Service plan. Click here to see the accessories, packaging and booklet. Click here for the February 1935 launch ad and here for a Christmas ad, 1936.
1935 Hoover model 825 UK Perivale First UK-built Hoover at new factory in Perivale, west London (opened 1935). Styled version of Hoover model 700, with extra motor vents and streamlined details applied. Built-in 'dirtfinder' headlamp combined with illuminated red badge. Produced 1936-1939, 1939 version with modern hand grip and bag design from Hoover model 160. Twin-speed and single-speed motor versions. Click here for a large 1935 advertisement in colour. Click here for another 1935 ad.
1936 Hoover Junior model 375 UK Perivale Second version of Hoover 'Junior', replacing model 370 (1935-36). New, applied Art Deco front-end styling with black phenol plastic streamlined motor casing with integrated wheels. Convertor for accessories plugs into rectangular snap-off front plate. Motor-driven agitator as larger Hoover models. Very popular model, produced 1936-39, 1945-50, replaced by model 119. Production started 18/12/36, in Electrical Review January 1937. Hoover-reconditioned 375s still available in the 1970s with red roundel logo. Earliest machines have black-painted vertical strip on front. Post-1945 machines have 'automatic' levelling (broad front wheels) from larger Hoover models. Pre-war model has heavier steel extension tube and general-purpose brush (as 1935 model 370), post-1945 is lightweight 'duralium' (aluminium) and phenol plastic. Click here to see all the attachments and instructions (1945 set - the crevice nozzle was optional extra). Click here to see the attachments set up for use. Click here to see the 'beats-as-it-sweeps -as-it-cleans' mechanism underneath (post-war version). Click here to see the streamlined Bakelite motor casing.
1936 Vactric Junior model R45 UK Cricklewood Small Vactric upright model produced 1936-c1958 with many finish/colour changes. Early models with painted aluminium body and maroon bag, then primrose stove-enamel finish with blue/black bag, finally gold hammerite and maroon bag. Motor-driven rotating brush. Tools plug into front via snap-off badge cover. Smaller, more basic than Hoover 'Junior' although more integrated design, encasing components. Later models made at Motherwell, Scotland. Patent 481,679 for handle mechanism (applied 1936) and design registration 816,109 (1936). Electrical Review entry 1937. Click here, here and here for alternative views. Click here for tools and here for tools attached. Click here for an image from a1937 home instruction booklet. Click here for a post-war colour ad showing the original colours.
1938 Hoover model 160 Cleaning Ensemble UK Perivale UK version of innovative US Hoover model 150(1936); prime example of modern 1930s streamlined design. Designed by pioneering US industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss, 1933-36. Stove-enamel grey magnesium chassis. Aluminium and 'stratosphere blue' streamlined trim. Wide use of phenol plastics for motor, motor hood and tools. Tools in portable storage rack can be inserted while motor running. Modern handle and bag graphics. Additional grip halfway up handle for carrying. Big 385 watt two-speed motor, automatic height control. Hoover's luxury model, sold as 'Cleaning Ensemble' for 22 guineas alongside model 262 (from 1939); both replaced by UK model 612 (1949). Click here for front, three-quarter and side elevations. Click here for image of the model 160 in use on the liner, Queen Mary, in the late '30s. Click here for modern bag graphics. Click here for a cut-away drawing and here for a ghosted photograph. Click here for UK launch advertisement, April 1938.
1939 Hoover model 262 UK Perivale Cheaper, lightweight version of Hoover model 160, based on US model 26 (1938). Designer: Henry Dreyfuss, New York. Exhibited on Bakelite stand at 1939 New York World's Fair. Beige stipple-finish stove enamel magnesium chassis (final examples have gold hammerite finish from model 612), brown phenol plastic shroud enclosing plastic motor casing and headlamp, brown bag. Rare 1939 version has full wrap-around band on motor casing; common post-war version has specification panel on front only. Phenol plastic and 'duralium' tools with portable storage rack. Single-speed motor. Produced 1939, 1945-49. Replaced by Hoover UK model 612 (1949). Click here and here to see the complete ensemble. Click here for front view. Click here to see the cleaner with storage rack.
1939 Hotpoint model 500 UK Extensively updated version of early 1920s original US Hotpoint junior-sized upright (see here). Rare model, not seen in post-1945 catalogues. Fully streamlined cast aluminium fan and brush casing, enclosing two front wheels and height adjustment screw, rear cast aluminium shroud covers motor and single rotating castor (see underside). Handle mechanism secured on shroud interior. Characteristic Hotpoint diamond/circle black/silver bag. Stunning example of 1930s streamlining, though lacks functional integrity of Dreyfuss' Hoover models. Concept of single enclosing form advanced, though stylistically dated by 1939. Light and manoevrable compared to contemporary Hoover Junior, fractionally more expensive (2/6). Optional floor polishing rotating brush attachment. Referenced in Adrian Forty's Objects of Desire (Thames and Hudson 1986) as example of superfluous styling, incorrectly dated 1937. Click for alternative views - top side front front/side rear/side top/rear/side. Click here for connector and here for all cleaning accessories. Click here for tools in carton and here for carton graphics. Click here for cleaner instruction card and here for tools instruction card. Click here for launch ad from Ideal Home May 1939, outlining main features.
1940 (1949) Hoover model 60 (612) UK Perivale Replacement for Hoover models 160 and 262, retaining key features of previous models. Launched as model 60 in USA in 1940, as model 612 in UK 1949. Designer: Henry Dreyfuss, New York. Early example of post-streamlining industrial design with flat vertical front, contrast to previous models. Flat motor gives lower, sleeker profile, exaggerated by angular design and high front. Acrylic lamp cover, gold hammerite finish to chassis, mottled brown phenol plastic motor hood. Quick-release bag and red footswitch. Replaced by Hoover model 638 (USA 1950, UK 1955-59). Click here for packaging and accessories. Click here for complete accessories. Click here to see how the cleaner converts for the accessories. Click here for a 1949 ad.
c1948 Morphy-Richards model VC81 UK St Mary Cray First MR vacuum cleaner, probably based on and closely resembling a Eureka design, (see Eureka). Dramatic streamlined design: single aluminium casting covers all components, stove-enamelled mint green (also maroon), large chrome-plated flip-down front cover for tools with MR 'iron' logo, chrome- plated height-adjustment dial and bag ring/clip. Distinctive S-profile handle (with stepless action) allows low furniture clearance without bending. Black bag with silver MR logo. Black rubber, two-part hand grip with Art Deco detail. Grey, moulded rubber furniture guard. Click here to see four views of the whole cleaner.
1950 Hoover Junior model 119 UK Perivale Replacement for Hoover model 375, produced 1950-1958 (including re-coloured model 1224). Extremely popular cleaner. Neater design than 375: gold hammerite finish on cast magnesium agitator/fan housing enclosing wheels with sleek brown phenol plastic motor behind with big red footswitch at rear. Large snap-off brown-painted steel cover for tools and drive-belt access. Replaced by completely new model 1334, 1958. Click here to see the accessories set up for use. Click here for a page from the users' manual.
1958 HooverJunior model 1334 Replacement for Hoover model 119/1224, produced 1958-c1982 including two main restylings. Extremely popular cleaner. Single alloy shell (plastic from 1969), encases motor, handle mechanism, air ducting and fan chamber, mid-stage evolution from 119 is US-only Hoover 'Lark' 1954. First 'Junior' with 'Disposall' paper bags. Superceded by all-plastic Hoover 'Turbopower' range, early 1980s. Main models - 1334 (1958 ivory/rose), 1338 (1963 ivory/grey), 1346 (ivory/green), 1354 (restyle, plastic main shell (1969), U1036 (restyle, deep gold plastic). Other colour variations. Five-piece accessory set, including clever converter which automatically removes agitator drive belt before hose is inserted. Click here to see whole cleaner. Click here to see the cleaner and accessories (model 1335A, 1965). Click here to see the accessories set up for use. Click here for accessories in box and here for box graphics. Click for pages and cover of the instruction leaflet (model 1334A, 1961).
1961 Hoover Hooverette model 2294 UK Perivale European-style 'stick' cleaner combining the versatility of a cylinder cleaner and the compactness of the Dustette in an upright. Very similar in concept to original Electrolux model 5 (1918), also Goblin Ideal and Magic Wand. US-designed, mild space/sci-fi styling of main power and dust unit and cleaning head in turquoise and pale blue plastic. Blue alloy tube/handle, ivory extending hose (short), small brush and crevice tool. Plastic shoulder strap for cylinder mode, pad for buffing hard floors. Produced 1961-80. Later colours: dark and pale green and 'burnt orange/ivory'. Extensive critique in Design April 1962. This cleaner is also featured in the cylinders gallery. Click here to see the Hooverette in upright mode; early-1960s. Click here to see the complete kit, packaging and leaflet. Click to see pages 1 2 3 4 of user instructions. Click here for the cleaner featured in a Hoover ad.