Aerus, formerly named Electrolux Corp USA - History in
Pictures
This is a somewhat brief overview of the history of the North American
Electrolux - now named Aerus
In 1924, Gustaf Sahlin came to the US from Sweden.
His
task was to set up a new company and sales force to sell the new, and
at the time unusual, Model V canister vacuum in America.
The Model V was made by Electro-Lux AB of Sweden and was the first
canister vacuum.
The Model V was replaced in 1927 with the Model XI, a ship carrying a load of these canisters was sunk which made Electrolux America to start looking to manufacture it's own machines.
In 1931, temporary US production started in Cleveland Ohio, with the
manufacture of the model XII
In 1933, permanent US production was secured with the factory at Old
Greenwich, which remained operational until the 1980s
That
same year, Electrolux of Sweden sold its majority stocks to US
investors and Electrolux Corp USA became an independent company.
In 1937, the company introduced the Model XXX (30) - it was in
production until 1954.
It was the first American designed Electrolux and it is considered one
the top 100 US inventions of all time.
In
1941 vacuum production ended and the factory was converted to make
torpedo motors and other motors and electronics for the war effort.
In 1952, the company introduced the Model LX (60), it was the first
vacuum with a sealed-disposable bag and the first to cut off when the bag got full.
This was the original "C" bag style machine that some of our new
canisters still use
In
the mid 1950s, the company debuted the Model E and later Model AE, they
where more modern and lighter weight.
Models AF,G,S,R,L where all
based off of these machines
1957 - Model AF
In
1959, the company introduced the first motor powered power nozzle,
the
company still uses it's same general gear drive design.
In
1961, the company introduced the iconic Model G,
It was the fist Lux to have a built in
cordwinder.
Made from 1961-1967
1962 - B8 floor polisher and shampooer - first stand alone shampooer
for in-home use.
Was in production from 1962-1984
1966- Model L - versions of the Model L would be made unitl 1978
In 1968, the company came out with the Model 1205.
It's design was completely different, with a sealed inner body, first
integrated electric hose and squared off styling,
every canister the company has made since is essentially based off the
1205
Also in this same year, Electrolux AB of Sweden sold off it's remaining
shares to Consolidated Foods.
Consolidated Foods acquired more shares to become the majority
shareholder of Electrolux Corp USA, they also acquired Electrolux Canada Ltd
1970 - The Bristol Virginia Manufacturing Center is opened, it
initially made Model L, B8 shampooers and Power Nozzles.
Gradually all production or assembly would be shifted there.
It is still the company's main factory.
1974 - 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Model
1976 - Super J - The Super J used a longer body which could house it's
new more powerful motor.
1978- Olympia One
1978 - Special Model - These machines would be made unitl 1985
CB Model and 1363 Upright - The CB model had been made since the 1960s
and was a heavy duty shop vac
1982
- Silverado Deluxe - In 1983 The company introduced the PN5 power
nozzle which was a revolutionary and efficient power nozzle,
every power nozzle the company has made since has been based on the PN5
general design.
The 1984 Silverado Canisters used a different body and new Canadian
Motor
1982 - CB2000 - The CB2000 replaced the stainless steel CB models,
versions of the CB2000 would be made until the late 1990s
In 1983 the company started to combine its product line with Electrolux
Canada,
with
the introduction of the plastic body LE and 2100 canisters, these
evolved into the Diplomat and Ambassador series canisters.
a version of this machine is still made as the Lux Classic.
1984 - Diamond Jubilee Canister and Diamond Jubilee Floor Pro
The
Discovery II Upright - 1986. The company has
made
uprights of this general design ever since. Dirt doesn't enter the motor, unlike nearly every other upright design
1987 - Marquis lineup
In 1988 the Company introduced the UltraLux canister it was the last
metal 1205 stlye canister and was made until 1994
1990 - 1590 CentraLux central vac system - this model replaced the
earlier Canadian 1580 central vac,
the 1590's design has evolved over the years, with the new E130L
CentraLux as the lastest and most powerful version of it.
1992 - Epic 3500 Upright
The very rare 1993/94 Commemorative Edition Ultralux was a salesman
award
1994 - Rennaissance, very innovative design, but had issues
with it's early computer boards.
1997 - Epic 6500, variations of the 6500 had been made since the 1992
Epic 6000,
The 1993 Epic 6500 debuted the SuperLux deluxe attachments.
The Lux Legacy is the modern version
1998 - Guardian Canister, By 1998 the company had figured out how to
make reliable computer boards with the Epic 8000,
also installed one of the first True HEPA filters on a vacuum
1998 - Sara Lee Corp (Formerly Consolidated Foods) sells Electrolux
Corp USA to Joe Urso.
Electrolux Corp is renamed Electrolux LLC USA and is again a totally
independent company.
Joe Urso is still the owner.
1999 - All main machines became light blue / white
In 2001, Electrolux USA, began to transition to it's new name:
Aerus LLC
Electrolux LLC USA sold most of the naming rights in North America back
to Electrolux AB Sweden
In 2004, the name change became finalized.
Aerus
is reorganized using the Lux brand which they still retain naming
rights.
All products that used Electrolux branding would now be
sold under the Lux brand of Aerus.
In 2002, Aerus Electrolux developed the Lux Guardian Air - air
purification system.
It
was a revolutionary device that combined technologies for household use
that at that time that where only used in commercial settings
2008
- Lux Guardian Ultra - Short lived deluxe version of the Lux classic style
of machine - It had it's own unique body / trim and used a sealed HEPA
system
2013 - Lux Platinum, the most advanced canister ever, sealed triple
HEPA system.
The company's quietest, most powerful and hygenic canister
ever
2017
- Aerus creates the Beyond Guardian Air using patented ActivePure
Technology.
It was inducted into the SPACE Foundation Hall of Fame
2020
