Here is a little summary of the history of the famous Kirby Vacuum Cleaner over the last one hundred years. You'll begin to understand why they have always been at the top of vacuum cleaner list when it comes to quality.

This information is provided by Charles Lester's detailed history of Kirby vacuums. Stop in at his amazing site today for a wealth of information.

Actually the Kirby company is just a part of the Scott Fetzer company and the Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate which is looked after by the famous Warren Buffett.

The company is located in Cleveland OH, USA and of course it manufactures the vacuums some of us have grown up with but they also supply a wide range of home cleaning accessories too.

The attractiveness of the Kirby vacuum cleaner has been kept as it was from the early 1900's for that retro look so many of us admire. Looking at their units is like a trip into history. They can get away with this due to their reputation for the power, durability and long life time value.

The unit may be more expensive than other competitors but the old saying, "you get what you pay for," really holds true here. You may never ever have to purchase another vacuum cleaner in your life time.

There are really only three different series of Kirby Vacuum Cleaner Models:

This would be the Pre-500 Models, the 500 Series Models and the Post-562 Models.

Pre –500 Models - "the beginning" of history of Kirby vacuum cleaners
1906 Unnamed hand-powered centrifugal pump canister-type machine
1906 Unnamed electric-motor-driven centrifugal pump canister-type machine
1910 "Frantz Premier" -- a/k/a "Domestic" -- electric-powered upright
1912 Hand-powered "Grasshopper"
1919 Vacuette Wireless [3-4 different models including the "Improved Vacuette"]
1925 Vacuette Electric [at least two models]
1928 Scott & Fetzer Sanitation System [at least two different models incl. one with on-off switch at the top of the handle]
1928 Aer-Rotor (electric canister-type cleaner)
1935 KIRBY Model R*
19?? KIRBY Model 2R
19?? KIRBY Model 3R
19?? KIRBY Model 4R
19?? KIRBY Model C
1939 KIRBY Model 2C
19?? KIRBY Model 3C
19?? KIRBY Model 4C
500 Series Models - "middle ages" of history of Kirby vacuum cleaners
Model 505 - 1945

This is the first model that had new-patented "Magic Finger" belt lifter instead of using the non-functional, decorative cap and the second model with a black rubber handle. This introduced an all-new black "Ethocel" plastic attachments instead of the vulcanized fiber material in use back then.

The  505 model was sold for the next three years, hence the reason 506 and 507 never appeared.

Model 508 - 1948
Color schemes were completely chanaged along with an improved motorized floor polisher.

Model 509 - 1949
Suds-o-gun feature added to sprayer. Hose and bags were redesigned.

Model 510 - 1950
"Triple cushion vibration" feature of rug nozzle and Handi-butler were first introduced.

Model 511 - 1951

Model 512 - 1952
There were not many changes in these models.

Model 513 - 1953
This was an updated model with more attractive color scheme. New stainless-steel rug guard was added to bottom of rug nozzle that runs the entire length of the nozzle. New "push-push" on/off switch was introduced.

Model 514 - 1954
New re-designed, larger, more comfortable plastic handle grip in new red colour. Modernized plastic belt lifter introduced with new, more angular, straight-lined, modernized style "Kirby" cursive logo in red lettering against a silver background.

Model 515 - 1955
Now just a Kirby logo in a circle, no V shapes or stripes. New 10-bladed fan.

Model 516 - 1956
New streamlined motor housing -- motor body, switch, cord connector, axle, all integrated into one smooth unit of polished aluminum gave this model a really a new look in every aspect. Completely new, less-complicated tilt-latch mechanism with metal switch on top of motor housing was also adopted.

Model 517 - 1957

Model 518 - 1958

Model 519 – 1959
Back end of motor housing (the axle part between the rear wheels) made more angular, with a slight inward "dip" in the downward curvature, and the louvres were more evenly and cleanly made; similarly, side louvres were also made more uniform in appearance. These models depict various modifications in design.

Model 560 - 1960

Model 561 -1961
The single major aesthetic change to 560 (& 561), was a lovely new metal, triangular-shaped belt lifter, with the Kirby logo floating over a gorgeous metallic-gold sunburst.

Model 562 - 1962
All new dark-tan color scheme (given the exotic name of "SIRROCO") came into existence.
Post-562 models – "the modern" history of Kirby vacuum cleaners
Here is a list of post-562 models, with corresponding manufacture dates:

1963/64 Sanitronic VII (Sirocco)
1965-67 Dual Sanitronic 50 (Sirocco)
1967-70 Dual Sanitronic 80 (Avocado green)
1967-70 Dual Sanitronic 80 (Avocado green)
1970-73 Classic 1CR (Medium brown, gold bag)
1973-76 Classic Omega 1CB (Dark brown, dark brown pinstriped bag)
1976-79 Classic III 2CB (Candy-apple red, plaid bag)
1979-81 Tradition (Dark blue; intro of paper bag)
1981-84 Heritage (Gray/orange)
1984-89 Heritage II Legend (Charcoal/gray/red)
1989-90 Legend II (Dark rose-pink)
1990-93 Generation 3 (Alabaster)
1993-96 Generation 4 (Medium gray)
1996-99 Generation 5 (Maroon)
1999-01 Generation 6 (Black/Yellow)
2002-05 Kirby Ultimate G
2005-06 Kirby Ultimate G Diamond

This page is based on Charles Lester's detailed history of Kirby vacuums on which you'll also find pictures and descriptions of old Kirby cleaning machines.

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