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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.