Item HT 38625 Vacuum Cleaner - Cannister, National, Capsule Model MC-3000F, circa 1973-1980

Summary

Capsule-style vacuum cleaner in cream plastic cannister with orange cushion, with contents stored internally.

In December 1973 the Australian Women's Weekly advertised this National Capsule vacuum cleaner as a 'self-contained' unit, 'delightfully house-trained' and looking 'more like a piece of modern furniture. Just take off its vinyl-padded lid and all the attachments you'll need are snugly packed inside. That includes four nozzles - one adjustable to all floor surfaces - one for crevice work - another for upholstery and a dusting brush. There's also a telescopic wand that stretches right out. And the nattiest - thing of all - a capsule dust catcher with level indicator that does away with dust bags entirely. In fact, it even cleans itself each time you draw out the power cord. Sold? You will be when you see it. The National Capsule Cleaner. Use it for a footstool or seat when it's not purring around the house. It's completely self-contained, and just one of the 10 National vacuum cleaners that are all slightly ahead of their time.' (Australian Women's Weekly, 5 December 1973, p.56)

Used as a prop in the 'House Secrets' exhibition at Scienceworks, 6 March 2006 to 14 July 2013. Most of the props for the exhibition were sourced from opportunity shops in 2002 and 2003 by curator Andi Horvarth and other Museum Victoria staff. 'House Secrets' aimed to 'Explore the science behind all the familiar things in our homes', presenting 'all sorts of wonderful things we might find around the home, from the food we eat, to the appliances we use, to the animals we share our living space with.' The exhibition was 'highly interactive'.

Physical Description

Capsule-style vacuum cleaner, with contents stored internally. The cleaner comprises a square plastic body, cream-coloured, with padded orange cushion moulded into top to form a seat. The body is mounted on four black casters and has a retractable cord. The top half of the body lifts off to reveal stored tools: a flexible hose, permanently connected, with on-off buttons and an 'indicator' dial; a telescoping aluminium pipe to attach to the hose; and three attachments, comprising a wide head, a round upholstry brush, a small rectangular detail nozzle and a narrow suction tube. Evidence of use includes peeling power cord instruction label.