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Background and Identification

Hoover vacuums are produced by the Hoover Company, a vacuum cleaner company founded in Ohio in 1908. A vacuum cleaner is a device, generally powered by electricity, that uses suction to remove debris from floors, upholstery, draperies, and other surfaces. The dust and debris are collected in either a dust bag or cyclone for later disposal.

Hoover vacuums have a large fan base in the United States and the United Kingdom, especially in the 20th century, when it dominated the vacuum cleaner industry. This led to the brand name becoming synonymous with vacuum cleaners and vacuum cleaning in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The first vacuum, the Model O, was made by the Hoover Company in 1908 and sold for $60. Subsequent features of vacuum cleaners included the beater bar in 1919, disposable filter bags in the 1920s, and the introduction of the upright vacuum cleaner in 1926.Upright vacuum cleaners are the most popular in the United States, Britain, and other Commonwealth countries.

Popular Hoover machines include:

  • The Junior: A small and portable upright vacuum cleaner from the 1930s for small spaces, like apartments. Extremely popular in the United Kingdom, but rare in the United States.
  • The Dirtseacher: Introduced in 1969 as a development of the Junior with a Model 638 style headlamp fitted in place of the tool adaptor. Popular in European and Commonwealth countries. Never sold in the U.S.
  • The Portable: Launched in 1963, the Portable is a “suitcase” type canister without wheels. The user would have to pull the machine around.
  • The Constellation: Introduced in 1954, the Model 82 Constellation had a radically new design and revealed the United States’ obsession with the space race. It was spherically shaped like the planet Saturn and mimicked developing space technology. The Model 82 Constellation could “float”/ “walk on air” because it was made mobile by using its exhaust air, causing it to lift from the floor and float behind the user. Re-introduced and sold from 2006 to 2009.
  • Model 28: Introduced in 1946 and over two million of this model were produced. Sold from 1946 to 1950.
  • Model 63: Debuted in 1953 and was the first Hoover to use a full wrap around bumper and completely disposable dust bag. Sold over four million units.

Additional Information

Hoover Official Website

Hoover Vacuums Best Buy