Eureka (company)
Encyclopedia
Eureka is a manufacturer of vacuum cleaner
s. The company is best known for "The Boss" line of vacuum cleaners, which were heavily promoted in the late 1980s.
1909 by Fred Wardell to build vacuum cleaners. By 1927, Eureka was selling one third of all vacuums manufactured in the United States. 1930 saw expansion into making other appliances with the introduction of the Eureka electric range.
In 1945, the company merged with Williams Oil-O-Matic, a Bloomington, Illinois manufacturer of oil-based heaters for the home, and the name of the company was changed to Eureka-Williams Corporation.
The company would continue to expand its horizons, eventually manufacturing such diverse items as heater
s, air conditioners, a wooden lung
, and school furniture.
In 1961, the company became the first U.S. manufacturer to produce a purpose-built electric car, the Henney Kilowatt
.
In 1974, Eureka was purchased by AB Electrolux of Sweden and the name was changed to The Eureka Company.
In 2000, production of vacuum cleaners was moved to Juarez, Mexico and the company closed its Normal, Illinois manufacturing facility.
The use of the Eureka Company name was discontinued in 2004 and replaced with Electrolux Home Products Division. Eureka brand vacuums continue to be manufactured to the present.
Electrolux announced in February 2010 the Bloomington, Illinois headquarters of the Home Products Division would be closed and its operations moved to the Charlotte, North Carolina where the company is consolidating American operations.
Vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner, commonly referred to as a "vacuum," is a device that uses an air pump to create a partial vacuum to suck up dust and dirt, usually from floors, and optionally from other surfaces as well. The dirt is collected by either a dustbag or a cyclone for later disposal...
s. The company is best known for "The Boss" line of vacuum cleaners, which were heavily promoted in the late 1980s.
History
The company was founded in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
1909 by Fred Wardell to build vacuum cleaners. By 1927, Eureka was selling one third of all vacuums manufactured in the United States. 1930 saw expansion into making other appliances with the introduction of the Eureka electric range.
In 1945, the company merged with Williams Oil-O-Matic, a Bloomington, Illinois manufacturer of oil-based heaters for the home, and the name of the company was changed to Eureka-Williams Corporation.
The company would continue to expand its horizons, eventually manufacturing such diverse items as heater
Heater
A heater is an object that emits heat or causes another body to achieve a higher temperature. In a household or domestic setting, heaters are usually appliances whose purpose is to generate heating...
s, air conditioners, a wooden lung
Iron lung
A negative pressure ventilator is a form of medical ventilator that enables a person to breathe when normal muscle control has been lost or the work of breathing exceeds the person's ability....
, and school furniture.
In 1961, the company became the first U.S. manufacturer to produce a purpose-built electric car, the Henney Kilowatt
Henney Kilowatt
The Henney Kilowatt was an electric car introduced in the United States for the 1959 model year.-Corporate funding:The Henney Kilowatt was a project of National Union Electric Company, a conglomerate including Emerson Radio, and Henney Motor Company, which had purchased Eureka Williams in 1953. The...
.
In 1974, Eureka was purchased by AB Electrolux of Sweden and the name was changed to The Eureka Company.
In 2000, production of vacuum cleaners was moved to Juarez, Mexico and the company closed its Normal, Illinois manufacturing facility.
The use of the Eureka Company name was discontinued in 2004 and replaced with Electrolux Home Products Division. Eureka brand vacuums continue to be manufactured to the present.
Eureka Today
(2007) Today Eureka vacuum cleaners are manufactured by the parent company, AB Electrolux.Electrolux announced in February 2010 the Bloomington, Illinois headquarters of the Home Products Division would be closed and its operations moved to the Charlotte, North Carolina where the company is consolidating American operations.