Do You Know The History Of Vacuums?

2018 - Volume #42, Issue #5, Page #21

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Learn why vacuum cleaners have always had headlights at the Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James, Mo. The answer is just one of hundreds of facts to be learned at the museum, where visitors can see more than 600 working vacuums going back more than 100 years.
  “The vacuum cleaner was the first electrical appliance with a cord,” says Tom Gasco, curator of the museum. “Before there were wall-mounted electrical receptacles, electric vacuums were plugged into receptacles screwed into light bulb sockets. Without light in a room, the vacuums needed a headlight.”
  Although hand-pumped vacuums go back to the 1890’s, museum exhibits start with 1910 and move along by the decades. Each exhibit shows how designs reflected the times. In the 1940’s canister vacuums were made out of pressed cardboard with metal at both ends. In the 1950’s they had big tail fins and in the 1960’s they looked like robots.
  Gasco’s fascination with vacuums started at the age of 6 when he brought home a discarded vacuum cleaner. With the help of his dad, he fixed it. He bought his first car for cash with money made selling vacuums door to door. By the time he was 21, he had a sales and repair shop.
  That first vacuum was the start to a collection that became his museum. “People would give me old vacuums they or their parents or grandparents had used,” he says. “If I got multiples, I would use some for parts.”
  As his collection grew, so did its reputation. He helped design Air-Way Corporation’s Signature Series of vacuums in 2000. The company sold 8,000 of them, 100 with Gasco’s signature on them, making them instant collector’s items.
  In 2009 he joined the Tacony Corporation, which owns Simplicity and Riccar vacuum cleaner brands. His collection was moved into the museum adjacent to the factory where the 2 brands are built. Visitors to the museum can see modern vacuums being made.
  Gasco’s collection was joined by that of the late Stan Kane of St. Louis. Kane appeared on The Tonight Show 77 times with his collection. Although 200 duplicates were recently sold off Gasco, who continues to test and consult on design, says the museum will continue to grow.
  “The vacuum is always improving,” says Gasco. “It is also one of the few appliances that is constantly changing as new designs attempt to get more dirt out. The final design that is completely effective has yet to be made.”
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Vacuum Cleaner Museum & Factory, 3 Industrial Dr., St. James, Mo. 65559 (ph toll free 866 444-9004; www.vacuummuseum.com).

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Do You Know The History Of Vacuums? FARM HOME Miscellaneous Learn why vacuum cleaners have always had headlights at the Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St James Mo The answer is just one of hundreds of facts to be learned at the museum where visitors can see more than 600 working vacuums going back more than 100 years “The vacuum cleaner was the first electrical appliance with a cord ” says Tom Gasco curator of the museum “Before there were wall-mounted electrical receptacles electric vacuums were plugged into receptacles screwed into light bulb sockets Without light in a room the vacuums needed a headlight ” Although hand-pumped vacuums go back to the 1890’s museum exhibits start with 1910 and move along by the decades Each exhibit shows how designs reflected the times In the 1940’s canister vacuums were made out of pressed cardboard with metal at both ends In the 1950’s they had big tail fins and in the 1960’s they looked like robots Gasco’s fascination with vacuums started at the age of 6 when he brought home a discarded vacuum cleaner With the help of his dad he fixed it He bought his first car for cash with money made selling vacuums door to door By the time he was 21 he had a sales and repair shop That first vacuum was the start to a collection that became his museum “People would give me old vacuums they or their parents or grandparents had used ” he says “If I got multiples I would use some for parts ” As his collection grew so did its reputation He helped design Air-Way Corporation’s Signature Series of vacuums in 2000 The company sold 8 000 of them 100 with Gasco’s signature on them making them instant collector’s items In 2009 he joined the Tacony Corporation which owns Simplicity and Riccar vacuum cleaner brands His collection was moved into the museum adjacent to the factory where the 2 brands are built Visitors to the museum can see modern vacuums being made Gasco’s collection was joined by that of the late Stan Kane of St Louis Kane appeared on The Tonight Show 77 times with his collection Although 200 duplicates were recently sold off Gasco who continues to test and consult on design says the museum will continue to grow “The vacuum is always improving ” says Gasco “It is also one of the few appliances that is constantly changing as new designs attempt to get more dirt out The final design that is completely effective has yet to be made ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Vacuum Cleaner Museum & Factory 3 Industrial Dr St James Mo 65559 ph toll free 866 444-9004; www vacuummuseum com

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