The Vintage Hoover Emporium

The year 2008 marked exactly 100 years since the Hoover Company's foundation on 8th August, 1908. In addition to the item on the Centenary I did for BBC One's 'The ONE SHOW', I was lucky enough to be able to travel to North Canton, Ohio - 'the town that Hoover built!' - to celebrate the anniversary right in the place it all began!

The Hoover Factory, North Canton, Ohio:

The Hoover Historical Center, North Canton, Ohio:

Window Display Contest, Hoover Park, North Canton, Ohio:

I enter the Cleaning Contest. McKinley Grand hotel, North Canton, Ohio. I won this round! The Hoover Convertible I used belongs to my friend Jeff Parker:

The Cleaning Contest in full:

My friends and I try out a selection of cleaners at the Convention:

The room where all the cleaners were displayed:

Apex Model 35 - this cleaner has the ability to swivel at the handle joint, so it can steer around obstacles. 70 years before Dyson introduced their 'Ball' machines!:

A beautiful streamlined, Art Deco Kenmore upright:

The Hoover Factory, North Canton, Ohio

The Hoover Factory, North Canton, Ohio

The Hoover Factory, North Canton, Ohio

The Hoover Factory, North Canton, Ohio

The Hoover Factory, North Canton, Ohio

The Hoover Factory, North Canton, Ohio

Memorial statue 'A Walk With the Boss' - dedicated to the memory of W.H Hoover by the people of North Canton

The house where W H Hoover grew up - now the Hoover Historical Center

The Hoover Historical Center

Restored 1908 Electric Suction Sweeper Model O -the first commercially successful portable electric upright vacuum cleaner!

1909 Electric Suction Sweeper Model 2

1915-16 Hoover Baby Model 185

1912 Hoover 'Hooverette' Model 183 - the first compact upright! This model employs a wheel-driven brush-roll like a carpet-sweeper, combined with an electric suction motor

Hoovers Baby and Hooverette