Henry (vacuum) explained

Inventor:Chris Duncan
Type:Vacuum cleaner
Manufacturer:Numatic International
Available:Yes
Models:HVR-160
HVR-240
HVB-160
HVX-200
HVR-160
HVR-200M
HVA-160
HVW-370

Henry is the brand name given to a cylinder vacuum cleaner made and sold by Numatic International, and is the only mass-produced consumer vacuum cleaner still made in the United Kingdom.[1] It is most notable for its cartoon eyes and mouth on the body of the vacuum cleaner, making a face, with the hose connector or hose as its nose.

The vacuum cleaner has several variations, including different names on the cap (including Hetty, Harry and James) as well as different models designed for different applications.[2] The model was introduced in 1981, continues in production, and sells well, despite the fact that Numatic never advertises Henry and retains no PR agency.[1]

History

Chris Duncan launched Numatic in 1969, having seen a need for a rugged and reliable cleaner to clean the inside of boilers. He started with an oil drum, found a washing-up bowl that fitted on top, and ordered 5,000. The prototype is in the Numatic museum. The two-inch oil drum thread is still used for the Henry models' nose.[1] During a Lisbon trade show visit in the mid-1970s, Duncan and one of his sales-staff decided to dress up their latest Numatic model with a piece of ribbon and Union flag badge to resemble a hat. They drew a chalk smile under the hose outlet, and a pair of eyes over the hose, nicknaming the vacuum Henry. It was placed on their stand in a corner, amongst the other regular, un-decorated vacuums. The next day Duncan noticed an amused reaction from passers-by at the customised vacuum, which prompted him to ask his advertising specialist back home to design a more professional looking face for Henry. [3]

In 1981 Henry became the first Numatic International model to have a name on its lid, which had become to look like a Bowler hat, replacing the 'Numatic' brand logo. [4] [5] Henry was also one of the first vacuums to use large-capacity microfibre dust bags known as HEPA-FLO bags, made of a material that retains dust and is stronger than the paper usually used, which can tear. In 2021 sales were increasing by a million units per year.[1]

Henry's face was originally printed on the body, but in some markets a face is considered dangerous as it may encourage children to play with the device (although there have been no incidents), so it is now printed on a separate faceplate, installed in the factory for countries without restrictions, otherwise, to be attached by the buyer.[1] The removable faceplate was introduced in late 2012, as well as the introduction of a parking bracket for the floor tool. Mid-2012 models came with the clips on the moulding to attach a 3D face whilst retaining the laminated face.

In 2014, still the company's sole owner, Duncan was listed at #96 on Management Todays Britain's Top 100 Entrepreneurs, and was said to have a worth of £103 million,[6] estimated to have increased to about £150m in 2021.[1]

Numatic International also manufacture spray mops, sold under the Henry and Hetty brands as "Henry Spray Mop" and "Hetty Spray Mop".[7] [8]

Henrys were originally manufactured in Beaminster, Dorset, until Numatic moved production in 1990 to Chard, Somerset. Early Numatic and Henry models were all metal, this was later changed to plastic to reduce weight. Originally the components were manufactured by subcontractors and assembled by Numatic, but the company later began to manufacture most of its own components. Numatic now only sources components manufactured in the United Kingdom, which it advertises as part of its marketing.[9]

Model

See main article: List of Henry vacuum cleaners.

Numatic

Henry

James

Charles

Nuvac

George

David

William

Edward

Names

The vacuums are also available with different names, which are shown on their caps. All the original series are based on English names. Vacuums with different names are generally of different colours and for different applications. Their faces remain identical on all models, except for Hetty, which has long eyelashes. Depending on the size of the head or body, the distance between the eyes and mouth can vary (excluding earlier models, as the faces were originally three stickers applied to the vacuums by hand).

Some Henry models with faces, such as the NBV190, are marked "Numatic" instead of "Henry" on the cap. Some Numatic cleaners, such as the WV370, while of similar appearance to the Henrys have no face and no personal name on their caps. A very few models have other words on their caps, such as "Micro-filter" on the MFQ370.

Notes and References

  1. News: Sucks to be him! How Henry the vacuum cleaner became an accidental design icon . Usborne . Simon . The Guardian . 24 July 2021 .
  2. Web site: Goodhart. Maud. 2017-02-03. Design classic: Numatic's Henry vacuum cleaner. subscription. Financial Times.
  3. News: Sucks to be him! How Henry the vacuum cleaner became an accidental design icon . The Guardian . 24 July 2021 . Usborne . Simon .
  4. Book: Gantz, Carroll. The Vacuum Cleaner: A History. 2012-09-26. McFarland. 978-0-7864-9321-0. 166. en.
  5. Web site: The History of Henry: From humble beginnings to household name.. 2021-06-13. Henry. Numatic International.
  6. Web site: Britain's Top 100 Entrepreneurs 2014: No. 96 - Christopher Duncan, Numatic. Management Today. Philip. Beresford. 24 October 2014.
  7. Web site: Numatic International Ltd. Henry Spray Mop HM40. www.numatic.co.uk. 2019-04-26.
  8. Web site: Numatic International Ltd. Hetty Spray Mop HM40. www.numatic.co.uk. 2019-04-14.
  9. Web site: BBC - West Country Cash: Made in Chard: The Somerset factory keeping it local. 2021-06-13. www.bbc.co.uk. en.
  10. Web site: Numatic International Ltd. Henry Professional HVR240. www.numatic.co.uk. 2019-04-14.
  11. Web site: Numatic International Ltd. Henry Compact HVR160. www.numatic.co.uk. 2019-04-14.
  12. Web site: Numatic International Ltd. Henry Cordless HVB160. www.numatic.co.uk. 2019-04-26.
  13. Web site: Numatic International Ltd. Henry Xtra HVX200. www.numatic.co.uk. 2019-04-26.
  14. Web site: Numatic International Ltd. Henry Xtra HVX160. www.numatic.co.uk. 2019-04-14.
  15. Web site: Numatic International Ltd. Henry Allergy HVA160. www.numatic.co.uk. 2019-04-14.
  16. Web site: Numatic International Ltd. Henry Wash HVW370. www.numatic.co.uk. 2019-04-14.
  17. Web site: Numatic International Ltd. Charles CVC370. www.numatic.co.uk. 2019-04-14.
  18. Web site: Numatic Cream and brown Charles!. www.vacuumland.org. 2019-04-26.
  19. Web site: George GVE370. Numatic International Ltd. . 2019-04-14.
  20. Web site: Chancellor lends a hand to build conveniently named 'George' vacuum cleaner. ITV. 9 April 2015.
  21. Web site: Numatic William. Ultimatevacman. Vacuumland. 2012-11-26.
  22. Web site: Numatic Wendy. Ultimatevacman. Vacuumland. 2012-11-25.
  23. Web site: Numatic International Ltd. James JVP180. www.numatic.co.uk. 2019-04-14.
  24. Web site: Numatic International Ltd. Harry HHR200. www.numatic.co.uk. 2019-04-14.
  25. Web site: Hetty HET200. Numatic International Ltd.. 2019-04-14.
  26. Web site: Christopher Duncan The Sunday Times. www.thetimes.co.uk. 2019-04-26.
  27. Web site: I Just Had To Treat Myself...Again - Numatic Bertie. www.vacuumland.org. 2019-04-26.