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Other Vintage Household Electrical or Electromechanical Items For discussions about other vintage (over 25 years old) electrical and electromechanical household items. See the sticky thread for details. |
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14th Mar 2019, 12:12 am | #1 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 5,273
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RIP John Bloom
I'm surprised no-ones mentioned it, but I was reminded by HWMBO about the death of washing machine tycoon John Bloom earlier this month. A very interesting read for anyone into vintage appliances.
https://www.theguardian.com/business...bloom-obituary
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Kevin |
14th Mar 2019, 1:14 pm | #2 |
Heptode
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Southend, Essex, UK.
Posts: 803
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Re: RIP John Bloom
My parents had one of his washing machines which seemed (as a lad!) to work ok except I also remember my dad frequently removed the spin motor for mechanical malady!
Alan |
14th Mar 2019, 1:48 pm | #3 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Scratby, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 651
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Re: RIP John Bloom
Hi,
I remember John Bloom's Rolls Razor going bust in 1964. In some way connected with this a 7 figure sum of cash was transferred across the centre of Birmingham between 2 banks, and several of us who worked for the one bank were allocated as 'guards' to accompany the cash. On arriving at the receiving branch in Colmore Row, the cash was carried openly across the pavement into the building, and I hardly think this would occur today. We were 'armed' with riot sticks, which it was apparently ok to carry in public. but not truncheons, - perhaps because they could be concealed! Happy days. Kind regards Dave |
14th Mar 2019, 11:02 pm | #4 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 902
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Re: RIP John Bloom
My mum had a Rolls rapide washing machine back around 1962 it was really cheap compared to other TTs of the time .The machine only had one motor that powered both the washer and spin dryer plus the pump .I think it came from the CO OP .In the space of about three months it had two motors .In the end my mum was so fed up with it [and having three kids to wash for] she went to the CO Op and demanded they take it back .It was replaced with a Hoovematic machine that lasted well into the 80s
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15th Mar 2019, 3:02 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.)
Posts: 3,184
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Re: RIP John Bloom
Hi,
I remember John Bloom hitting the headlines back in the day. I have a flush fitting light switch made by 'Rolls Switches Ltd.' It is made to BS1299. The fixing holes are not the standard width, so it must need its own back box. Was Rolls Switches Ltd. another branch of Bloom's empire? I've never seen any other Rolls wiring accessories; plugs, sockets, light fittings, etc. Cheers, Pete.
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19th Mar 2019, 1:01 am | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 5,273
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Re: RIP John Bloom
I don't think so.
PS more Rolls switches on Flameport.
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Kevin |
19th Mar 2019, 1:49 am | #7 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. & Winter in the Philippines.
Posts: 3,897
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Re: RIP John Bloom
Cut my appliance fixing teeth on Rolls washers. [ And reconditioning Hoover 119s.]
They were infinitely fixable, not like modern trash. The economy model had the minimum of everything! Some had 2 motors and a pump, they lasted well into the '70s. |
20th Mar 2019, 12:21 pm | #8 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Co. Durham, UK.
Posts: 1,117
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Re: RIP John Bloom
One of the first domestic dishwashers was the Rolls; it later turned into the Colston.
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