Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner with attachments

Made:
circa 1956-1959 in Perivale
maker:
Hoover Limited
Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner & attachments circa 1956 on Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner & attachment circa 1956 on Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner circa 1956 on a white Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner circa 1956 on a white Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view. Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view. Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view. Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view. Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view. Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view. Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view. Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view. Hoover constellation vacuum dust bag circa 1956 on a white Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner with attachments

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Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner & attachments circa 1956 on
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner & attachment circa 1956 on
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner circa 1956 on a white
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner circa 1956 on a white
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover constelletion attachment on a white background 3/4 view.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover constellation vacuum dust bag circa 1956 on a white
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner, about 1956. A particularly ’space age’ 1950s vacuum cleaner, noted for its use of exhaust air to make it hover. Coupled with a futuristic spherical shape and fashionable colouring, the Constellation is truly a design classic among vacuums. It is made from metal with plastic components. This example is mainly grey with blue details.

Although the first vacuum cleaner can be credited to the British engineer Hubert Cecil Booth with his horse-drawn, petrol-powered machine invented in 1901, the Hoover Company was the first to bring out an upright handheld vacuum cleaner.

James Spangler, from Ohio USA, had the idea for a broomstick-like cleaner — using suction from an electric fan, a cloth filter, and a dust-collection bag attached to a long handle. He sold the idea to William Hoover in 1908 and the Hoover Company was founded. Spangler’s invention proved to be arguably the first truly practicable domestic vacuum cleaner.

The Hoover Company built their first British vacuum cleaner producing factory, the Hoover Building, in Perivale in northwest London, in the early 1930s. The striking Art Deco building designed by Wallis, Gilbert, and Partners, produced vacuum cleaners until 1982. Now Grade II listed, it has been converted into flats.

High costs and lack of electrical provision meant that before the 1950s most households were cleaned with brushes and low-tech devices. With the continuing rollout of the national electricity grid and strong marketing slogans, promising household appliances would bring cleaner and more convenient lives, aspirational electronic technology was taking off in the UK in the 1950s.

In 1954, Hoover unveiled the Constellation (US Patent D175210), designed by American industrial design pioneer Henry Dreyfuss. With the Space Race between the US and the Soviet Union capturing the population’s imagination this space-age-shaped, playfully designed vacuum cleaner fitted the futuristic aesthetic of the time.

Constellation marketing materials predominately depicted women smiling as they used the vacuum cleaner with apparent ease, accompanied by phrases such as ‘You’ll be happier with a Hoover’. With its pull-along canister, as opposed to upright stick designs, the user appears to be less burdened by the weight of the fan mechanisms and collection bag, making vacuuming appear more effortless.

Details

Category:
Domestic Appliances
Object Number:
Y2002.5
Materials:
metal and plastic
Measurements:
Pipe (2002.5.3): 485 mm x 40 mm x 38 mm,
Pipe (2002.5.4): 485 mm x 40 mm x 38 mm,
Hard bristle attachment (2002.5.?): 110 mm x 145 mm x 50 mm,
Attachment (2002.5.7): 200 mm x 45 mm x 30 mm,
Main body (2002.5.1): 360 mm x 360 mm x 365 mm,
Attachment (2002.5.6): 130 mm x 240 mm x 60 mm,
Chadwicks vacuum bags: 275 mm x 190 mm x 5 mm,
Soft brush attachment: 120 mm x 90 mm x 110 mm,
Attachment (2002.5.5): 155 mm x 305 mm x 110 mm,
Flexible hose (2002.5.2): 2400 mm
type:
vacuum cleaner
credit:
Purchased From Roger Markman

Parts

Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner, about 1956. A particularly 'space age’ 1950s vacuum cleaner, noted for its use of exhaust air to make it hover. Coupled with a futuristic spherical shape and fashionable colouring, the Constellation is truly a design classic among vacuums. It is made from metal with plastic components. This example is mainly grey with blue details.

More

This Constellation 822 model made in the late 1950s was designed to float above the ground with innovative ‘air lift’ technology. The vacuum cleaner base was designed to float easily behind the user, moving smoothly from room to room. The earlier 82 model Constellation required a 4-caster dolly for easy trolleying from room to room. The underside blow action could also be used to blow dirt and dust away. The blow function was advertised as being able to fluff pillows and aerate underneath carpets to protect them against dampness. It is unclear if the addition of the blow function impacted the effectiveness of the suction. It might have been a successful marketing gimmick that was not very effective and may have even lifted dirt and dust into the air.

The Constellation canister section came in numerous colour combinations. It was usually two-tone, the top section being a beige or grey with a contrasting colour on the lower half. The distinctive bumper rail around the middle usually stood out in a contrasting colour. The attachments would either be in a standard grey or in the colourway of the canister.

The Constellation canister vacuum cleaner came with five distinct nozzle attachments, two extension pipes, a ‘Hooverflex’ hose, and a dust bag which was pre-fixed in place but removable. It was a popular product, produced in the UK from 1954 into the 1980s, with minor design modifications.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.1
type:
vacuum cleaner
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem
Flexible hose for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Flexible hose for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Long flexible hose for Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner, about 1956. The main body is blue with silver-coloured ends where the pipe fits into the vacuum and pipe attachment. Includes the Hoover logo.

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The hose attaches to the opening at the top of the cleaner. It can swivel freely to allow the hose direction to change without the vacuum cleaner base having to move around.

The ‘Hooverflex’ hose was marketed as having ‘double stretch’ – it stretched to double its length, then retracted. Stairs and even adjacent rooms could be cleaned without moving the vacuum cleaner’s base. With a 16ft reach, 30ft circle, and being retractable, it reportedly cleaned ‘twice the area of any other cleaner’ without the need for twice the amount of storage space.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.2
type:
hose
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem
Extension pipe attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Extension pipe attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Extension pipe for Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner, about 1956. Silver coloured metal with a side clip fitted to the side. One of two.

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The telescopic pipe attachment, also known as the extension tube, was designed to have an interchangeable nozzle at one end. It allowed the user to stand upright, using this ridged section to navigate cleaning. Removing or including the sections allowed the attachments to extend their reach, making even ceilings within range. Importantly the telescopic pipe attachments allowed the user to move farther from the canister base without having to hold the weight of the motor mechanism and collection bag.

Materials:
metal
Object Number:
Y2002.5.3
type:
attachment and pipe
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem
Extension pipe attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Extension pipe attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Extension pipe for Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner, about 1956. Silver coloured metal with a side clip fitted to the side. One of two.

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The telescopic pipe attachment, also known as the extension tube, was designed to have an interchangeable nozzle at one end. It allowed the user to stand upright, using this ridged section to navigate cleaning. Removing or including the sections allowed the attachments to extend their reach, making even ceilings within range. Importantly the telescopic pipe attachments allowed the user to move farther from the canister base without having to hold the weight of the motor mechanism and collection bag.

Materials:
metal
Object Number:
Y2002.5.4
type:
attachment and pipe
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem
Brush attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Brush attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Brush attachment for Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner, about 1956. Predominantly blue and includes the Hoover logo. Attachment for vacuuming short pile carpets.

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This attachment, known as the carpet nozzle, would have either been attached to the telescopic pipe or directly to the hose. The attachment swivels to reach under furniture. Later models included wheels to this attachment for reduced friction while carpet cleaning.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.5
type:
attachment and brush
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem
Brush attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Brush attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Brush attachment for Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner, about 1956. Predominantly blue and includes the Hoover logo. Attachment with long bristles, for vacuuming hard surfaces.

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This attachment known as the floor brush attachment would have been attached directly to the hose or the extension pipe attachment. It was designed for use on wooden and hard floor coverings like linoleum. Linoleum was a popular flooring material for kitchens in the 1950s, and still is today, as it is water-resistant, easy to clean, and relatively inexpensive.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.6
type:
attachment and brush
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem
Nozzle attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Nozzle attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Nozzle or hose attachment for Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner, about 1956. Predominantly blue and includes Hoover logo. Attachment for vacuuming narrow spaces.

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This attachment known as the crevice attachment would have been attached directly to the hose or the extension pipe attachment. Its suggested use was for hard-to-reach crevices in upholstered furniture, edges of wall-to-wall carpeting, around baseboard, radiators, dresser drawers (or dressers with drawers removed), and spaces between kitchen equipment.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.7
type:
attachment and nozzle
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem
Brush attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Brush attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Brush attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner, circa 1956. Predominantly blue and includes the Hoover logo. Attachment with short, hard bristles.

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This attachment known as the furniture brush would have been attached directly to the hose or the extension pipe attachment. It was designed for use on tables, chairs, and all furniture. Its bristles would have helped to pick up the dirt and dust.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.8
type:
attachment and brush
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem
Brush attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Brush attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner

Soft brush attachment for Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner, circa 1956. Predominantly blue and includes the Hoover logo. Circular attachment with long, soft bristles.

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This attachment known as the dusting brush would have been attached directly to the hose or the extension pipe attachment. The dusting brush was designed to quickly dust carved furniture, table-tops, shelves with knick-knacks, books, lamps (inside and out), lighting fixtures, Venetian blinds, shutters, wicker furniture, pictures and frames, closet shelves, registers, and those tricky narrow ledges above doors and windows.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.9
type:
attachment and brush
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem
Chadwicks Replacement Vacuum Cleaner Dust bags

Chadwicks Replacement Vacuum Cleaner Dust bags

Plastic bag containing two yellow paper dust bags for the Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner, about 1956. Outer packaging includes a drawing of the Hoover Constellation vacuum. Originally pack of five.

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From the very first vacuum cleaners, there has always been a need to have a receptacle to receive and store the dirt and dust that has been sucked up. The dust bags for the Constellation vacuum cleaner were designed to be removed without seeing or touching any of the dirt that had been sucked up. Once the bag had been emptied into the dustbin it was reattached to the cleaner. Replacement bags could be sourced from Hoover dealers. The user manual states that bags must be specifically designed for the Constellation.

Materials:
plastic (unidentified) and paper (fibre product)
Object Number:
Y2002.5.10
type:
vacuum cleaner dust bag
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem