The Vintage Hoover Emporium

Hoover’s commercial cleaners were designed for use in offices, hotels, large residences etc. They were specifically built as powerful, durable and heavy-duty machines intended to stand up to a punishing existence in the world of commercial cleaning. They were best suited to the large expanses of rug often found in hotel lobbies and corridors, since their bulk and considerable weight made them difficult to manoeuvre around furniture!

Hoover's first commercial machine was Model 18, built concurrently with the Model O from 1908-09. A huge cleaner, it resembled a large Model O, and featured a 15" sweeping path. A clutch engaged the large fan once the motor reached a certain speed, and the cleaner took nearly a full minute to reach full speed! 

It's unclear from official records what - if any - commercial machines were available between 1909-15, but from 1915-22, Hoover's commercial cleaner was 'Senior' Model 197 (later known as Model 101). Again, it featured a 15" cleaning path. Production of this model was halted for the duration of World War One, when, at the request of the War Industries Board, all vacuum cleaner manufacturers agreed to reduce their output to two models to conserve materials. Hoover probably chose to drop this cleaner during that period because the expensive commercial model was always outsold by the domestic machines.

In 1922, Hoover launched Model 961, again with a 15" cleaning path. Until 1925, Hoover lacked the capacity to make a large enough motor to power this cleaner, and used motors made specifically for the 961 by General Electric.

Model 972, introduced in 1928, followed much the same formula as Model 961; larger than the domestic Model 700, it had a highly-polished finish, and made use of the principle of Positive Agitation.

1932's Model 900 saw Hoover simplify the commercial cleaner design; they used a version of the standard domestic 12" chassis, and a very similar motor to the one used on the domestic model. The chassis was strengthened, and the upper motor bearings sealed, but for the first time, the domestic and commercial machines were the same size. Soon after production began, a further refinement, the 'Hoover Hedlite', became standard equipment on the 900.

'The wonderful new big Hoover, Model 961. Throughly cleans thickest rugs. Requires no oiling. Ball bearings throughout. Quiet. Easy to use. Practically fool-proof. Improved new attachments. Gladly demonstrated without obligation.'

Model 961 (right of picture), was introduced in 1922. Although similar in appearance to the domestic Model 541, the 961 was an altogether larger machine.

Until 1926, Hoover lacked the capacity to make a large enough motor to power this cleaner, and used motors made specifically for the 961 by General Electric. Unlike the domestic machines, it did not require regular oiling.

The 961 did not come cheap; in the UK, it cost £35, plus £4.10.0 for tools. In today's money, a 961 complete with tools would cost nearly £1580! 

In America, 23,744 examples of Model 961 were made. The number of machines exported to the British Empire from the Hoover Factory in Canada is unknown.

I do not yet own an example of Model 961. The example pictured below belongs to a friend. It is pictured alongside its domestic sibling, Model 541, and the size difference between the two is readily apparent!

'Larger Model for Clubs, Hotels, &c.'

'For large Residences, Hotels, Office Buildings etc'

Model 961 was replaced in 1928 by the Model 972. Like Model 961, it was almost twice the size of its domestic counterpart, Model 700.

More powerful and stylish than the 961, it utilised Hoover's Agitator for more efficient cleaning than its predecessor. It had a large fan driven by a Westinghouse-built motor.

The example pictured above is formerly of the collection of Mr. Stan Kann. An example is also in the possession of the Hoover Historical Centre in North Canton, Ohio.

In America, 4,630 examples of Model 972 were made.

'Frankly, it's a better cleaner than most homes require. Built for constant, hard use and to resist abuse. Finest of all cleaners. For large homes, hotels, institutions and public buildings.'

Sold in the US as 'The Gold Chevron Hoover', Model 900 was Hoover's 3rd UK machine intended specifically for the commercial market. It was Hoover's first 'standard size' commercial machine, with a 12" cleaning path.

Using Model 750 as a starting point, the 900 had extra-durable metal wheels with bearings and rubber tyres, a more durable rear axle, a larger bag, and a centrally-mounted height adjustment system which passed right through the dust-outlet, rather than being mounted on the side of the chassis as with domestic models. The snap-action handle bail was also operated by spring systems on both sides of the chassis. The fan chamber was lined with rubber, for quiet operation, and with steel plates, to prevent hard pieces of debris being shot through the side of the chassis if accidently vacuumed up! These modifications made the 900 (9.4kg) a little heavier than the 750 (8.6kg), and therefore a little clumsier to use. It retained the 2-speed 275w motor from the 750.

Stylistically, the 900 differed from the 750 in that the chassis was adorned with engraved filligrees reminicent of wings either side of the Hoover badge, and the motor band was black, rather than orange.

In America, 7,654 examples of Model 900 were made.

Above and below are two American adverts for the Model 900, both dating from March 1932. In both adverts, Model 900 is referred to as the 'Gold Chevron Hoover'. However, the advert above shows it with a bag decorated with 3 gold chevrons, whereas the advert below shows it with the Silver Jubilee bag -  marking Hoover's 25th anniversary. Another advert shows the 900 with a bag very similar to the Jubilee design, but without the Jubilee wording. This demonstrates that the American version of Model 900 came with at least 3 different bag designs during its production run.

Model 925 was introduced in 1933 to replace Model 900. The chassis was identical to that of its predessessor, but utilised the new 360w 2-speed motor of the domestic Model 800. Sharing its Art Deco styling cues with this model, it also incorporated most of the heavy-duty characteristics of the commercial machine it replaced, although it used standard wheels, not the metal/rubber versions seen on the 900. As with its domestic siblings - Models 800 and 450 - it included a built-in 'Dirt Finder' headlamp as standard, Hoover's first UK model range to do so. Another new feature was an extra-long power cord, and this was stored on 2 sets of cord hooks either side of the handle.

Priced at £26.05.0d, plus £3.03.0d for dusting tools, a complete 925 ensemble would cost £1373 in today's money.

In America, 8,935 examples of Model 925 were made.

The American version of 'Sentinel' Model 925 represented one of many 'firsts' for Hoover, and for vacuum cleaners in general; it was the first cleaner to be fitted with a capacitor, or 'Radio Interference Eliminator'. This feature was not included on the British version, but by the late 1950s, capacitors would be commonplace on most vacuum cleaners:

Introduced in 1939, before production was interrupted by WWII, Model 960 Cleaning Ensemble was Hoover's commercial version of their flagship Model 160. Almost identical to its domestic sister, it featured a bigger dustbag - the extra capacity meaning it was better suited for filtering large amounts of office or hotel dirt. The fan chamber was lined to protect it from damage, and Hoover did away with the rectractable bag-cord system, using instead a much simpler and more durable external spring. The spring had already been in use on the Juniors 370 and 375, and the Model 262 - it was soon to become standard throughout Hoover's upright model range.

21,941 of these machines were built over the two year post-war production run, from January 1947 to July 1948. This particular machine dates from March/April 1947. The number of machines - if any - made before the war is unknown. Back-stock of Model 960 was still available for purchase in 1949.

Complete with tools, and allowing for purchase tax, Model 960 sold for £32.16.3 - the equivalent to £775 in modern currency.

The 960 was replaced in 1949 by the 912, a new and highly-durable machine, variations of which would continue to be sold until the early 1980's.

The picture above shows Model 960 in use aboard the luxurious Queen Mary ocean liner. A Dustette can also be seen in use in the background.

The image above comes from the Illustrated London News; caption reads: 'Gifts of sumptuous utililty: Electric cleaning machines presented to the Princess by the Directors and Employees of Messrs. Hoover, Ltd.' A Hoover 960 Cleaning Ensemble, and a Hoover 402 with polished aluminium end-pieces, were given to Princess Elizabeth as wedding presents when she married Prince Philip on 20th November 1947.

Production of Model 912 was initiated in July 1949, but wasn't on sale until February 1950. The earliest examples of this model were built for export. An altogether more solid and durable machine than the model it replaced, it was also one of Hoover's heaviest cleaners at 15kg.

Styled by Henry Dreyfuss, it shared a similar look to domestic model 612. The motor was a slightly more durable version of the one from the 612. Rated at 400w, it ran with a slow, quiet purr.

Versions of this machine were made until the early 1990s, in the guises of replacement model 912A and U7008. 912A was very similar to the 912, but had a different bag material and a more modern hand grip. It also lost the darker coloured motor hood, being silver hammertone all over. The handle release pedal was black, as opposed to maroon.

U7008, which replaced the 912A, had a chassis-mounted carpet-height indicator, and lacked a headlamp. The whole of the chassis was covered by a large, rounded furniture guard.

The rating plate on the underside of the machine: