The Vintage Hoover Emporium

Although Hoover's upright machines were great at carpet cleaning, converting them for 'above-floor' tasks, such as dusting, was a fiddly process. Hoover solved this problem by offering alternative, smaller cleaners, better suited for the job. Some attempts, like the Dustette models, were very popular, with thousands surviving to this day. Others, like the Hoover Minor, missed their mark and failed to find buyers.

'Light, convenient, ever-ready for use, the new Hoover Duster is an essential home cleaning aid for the busy and efficient housewife.'

The 1930 Minor Model 200 - called the 'Duster' in the US - was Hoover's first attempt at a cylinder cleaner, designed to compete with the sleek, compact models from Electrolux. The primative Minor was anything but sleek and compact; it used Model 575s motor with a modified fan, which sucked dust in via a length of hose and blew it into a bag. These parts were mounted on a sturdy cast-aluminum chassis, and stood on steel runners. In addition to the crevice tool and upholstery nozzle supplied with the upright toolkit, the Minor was equipped with an extra section of bent tubing and a rug nozzle.  

In the US, Model 200 cost $29.75 without dusting tools - if the buyer already owned a set of Hoover upright tools, they could be used - or $42.25 with tools. For $8 more, extra tools, suitable for 'commercial uses' were available. One such additional tool was a mop-attachment for the floorhead, for more efficient cleaning of hard floors.

The 1934 Model 200B (pictured above) appeared almost identical to the original Model 200, but was actually completely different. The polished aluminium casting was physically larger than that of the 200, as were the runners. The motor was the 210w unit from Model 425, and the on/off switch was moved from the motor housing to the cord junction. The dust bag was also slightly larger, and its opening was at the rear of the bag, not the underside. Model 200B appears only to have been sold in the UK.

The Minor/Duster was not a popular cleaner in its day; it couldn't compete with the more modern, clean-air machines from Electrolux. Even in America, only 9004 Model 200 Dusters were ever produced, its short production run lasting from 20th August - 18th November 1929.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Duster was used on airships for in-flight cleaning - since they'd add much less weight to a dirigible than a full-size vacuum cleaner. An upright could be used for thorough cleaning while the ship was grounded.

This photo comes from a page on the Hoover Duster in upright Model 575's manual. It was promoted as a second cleaner to supplement a Hoover upright; a dedicated machine for 'above-floor cleaning':

'For dustless dusting.'

'This convenient and efficient little machine weighs no more than a flat-iron. You carry it in your hand and, in no time - without any dust flying about - you can clean your upholstered furniture...travelling rugs...suits and overcoats...and a dozen other things that collect dust.'

The Hoover Dustette was launched in the UK in 1930. The earliest versions have a polished alloy nozzle, and a rocker-switch. More common later examples, such as the one shown above, have a stipple-finished grey nozzle and a slider switch. It was expensive at £4.19.6d - the equivalent of £216 in modern currency.

Below is the patent for the Dustette design, filed May 5th 1930 by William H Kitto, assignor to the Hoover Company of North Canton, Ohio.

Identical to the earlier Dustette Model 100 in all but colour and bag-graphic design, this version was produced from 1949-55.