Any one collects or uses old BIG electric apliances?

[DavGoodlin]

Originally Posted by ppppenguin

There's a small shop near me that sells and repairs electrical appliances, something increasingly rare on the high street in the UK. In their shop they have a Hoover "Keymatic" washing machine. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...nes_museum.JPG

These machines were found in trendy homes in the 1970s and looked like no other washing machine before or since. The programme was selected by inserting a "keyplate" https://www.flickr.com/photos/cheste...7601120083935/ The keyplate mechanism was not reliable. A gimmick really.

I understand that in the UK, you "hoover up" the floor, rather than vacuum

[ppppenguin]

Originally Posted by DavGoodlin

I understand that in the UK, you "hoover up" the floor, rather than vacuum

Yes, in the UK the brand name "Hoover" has come into general use, not only as a noun but also as a verb. And it's nothing to do with J Edgar

You see people referring to Dyson hoovers etc.

The Hoover company has effectively lost its brand name rights here.

It happens to other brands too. Scotch Tape (US) or Sellotape (UK); Kleenex (mainly US); Durex (different usages in US and UK but this is a family friendly forum) and probably many more.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_trademark