Hoover constellation vacuum cleaner with attachments

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

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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 & attachment circa 1956 on
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

3/4 view of the Hoover constellation logo on the vacuum cleaner.
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 constellation vacuum cleaner & attachments circa 1956 on
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

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 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.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.1
type:
vacuum cleaner
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.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.2
type:
hose
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.

Materials:
metal
Object Number:
Y2002.5.3
type:
attachment and pipe
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.

Materials:
metal
Object Number:
Y2002.5.4
type:
attachment and pipe
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.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.5
type:
attachment and brush
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.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.6
type:
attachment and brush
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.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.7
type:
attachment and nozzle
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.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.8
type:
attachment and brush
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.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
Y2002.5.9
type:
attachment and brush
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.