Take a step back through time.

The first Kirby model named after Jim Kirby. Although the Kirby brand wasn’t linked to vacuum cleaners until the 1930s, Jim was pioneering vacuums as early as 1919 with the "Vacuette," which introduced a removable floor nozzle and handle, paving the way for today’s multi-attachment Kirby vacuum models. The Vacuette was briefly marketed as a manual vacuum cleaner, featuring a spring-loaded worm gear activated by pulling the vacuum cleaner backward; pushing it forward powered a turbine that generated suction.

The Kirby Model 505 appeared in 1945, but it wasn’t until 1946 that it received a significant upgrade. This update replaced the decorative cap with a patented “magic finger” belt lifter, which maintained the same logo but with a smoother-edged plastic cap. The 505 kept the same bag used in earlier models, providing customers with continuity. However, a significant change was the introduction of a shiny black rubber cord, now featuring a clip for convenience hanging on a hook at the back of the handle. The vital part of the vacuum, the “Sani-Em-Tor,” was updated to include a black plastic trap door. The 505 showcased a new all-black plastic design for attachments and accessories, offering a sleek and modern aesthetic. Additionally, it introduced a unique “massage cap” made of black rubber, exclusively for this model.

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The Sweet Air Dispenser was introduced to eliminate unpleasant odours while vacuuming carpets. This enhancement significantly improved the overall cleaning experience, promoting a fresh and inviting atmosphere. The screw on the 'Sani-Em-Tor”, an essential part of the vacuum, featured a red ribbed plastic top. The "Kirby kabinet", shipper box, Handi-Butler, and polisher for this model were all red maroon, adorned with the Kirby logo in a greyish-white tone. Meanwhile, the floor polisher box for the 510 was brown, highlighted with red lettering. The floodlight trim, now crafted from grey rubber, was a single piece wrapped around the front and sides of the bumper. Additionally, a ball chain cuff slide has been introduced.

Referred to as the groundbreaking “50th Anniversary Kirby,” this vacuum cleaner transformed the Kirby legacy. This state-of-the-art appliance featured a sleek, modern look, with a motor housing that integrated all key components into a single polished aluminium unit. The motor was elegantly concealed within a striking housing that cleverly hid carbon brush screws and other internal elements. A recessed rubber gasket was added to the fan-case opening to improve suction power and enhance the seal. The newly redesigned, larger nozzle lock made operation easier, while the bigger, less angled light housing streamlined light bulb replacement. The handle fork was significantly widened and featured a redesigned spring mechanism for a more comfortable grip. The updated tilt-latch had a polished metal switch atop the motor housing, facilitating easy tilting. With a captivating red theme, the handle grip, rug nozzle bumper, and light housing bumper were made of vibrant red vinyl. The 516 model included a 32 ft. grey cord with a retro-style plug and cord end in dark red, paired with a dark grey cord.  Included were eye-catching red plastic attachments and a red rubber hose, with options to order a long rug nozzle and swivel connector separately. The push button featured elegant red plastic. The round belt lifter proudly showcased the Kirby logo in red lettering against a metallic silver circle.

In 1965, The Kirby Company introduced the Dual Sanitronic 50 vacuum cleaner. The name “Dual” was used to represent the automatic speed selector that was added to the unit. The motor was designed to automatically switch to a higher speed when the hose was attached to provide better cleaning efficiency in the hose mode. This model was manufactured until 1967 when the Dual Sanitronic 80 model was introduced.

A new handle was just one of 26 improvements homeowners got to enjoy with this model. This model featured a floor duster-buffer, shoulder strap, and convenient tool cabinet. Other features included San-pocket, safety selector switch, swiveled cord hook, crystalator, and suction-relief vent.

This vintage Kirby model launched the “second generation” of Kirby models. It also introduced an oval Sani Em-Tor, rear mounted switch, and a wider nozzle for cleaning. Some other standard features on this model included duster buffer, safety speed selector switch, accessories case, shoulder portable strap, portable sprayer, and rug renovator.

This vintage Kirby model launched the “second generation” of Kirby models. It also introduced an oval Sani Em-Tor, rear mounted switch, and a wider nozzle for cleaning. Some other standard features on this model included duster buffer, safety speed selector switch, accessories case, shoulder portable strap, portable sprayer, and rug renovator.

This vintage Kirby model launched the “second generation” of Kirby models. It also introduced an oval Sani Em-Tor, rear mounted switch, and a wider nozzle for cleaning. Some other standard features on this model included duster buffer, safety speed selector switch, accessories case, shoulder portable strap, portable sprayer, and rug renovator.

This electric blue model was introduced in 1979 and updated after 1981 and was designed for a variety of floor surfaces to make cleaning your entire home more efficient and effective. The Tradition model was the very first model to include a disposable filter bag. It also featured the portable carrying strap, massage cup, curved extensions tube, duster buffer.

The Heritage model introduced a bright red look and introduced the Turbo Power with the turbo brush, turbo groom and turbo sander. This model had new packaging, pistol grip handle and a bag top cover with wire form support.

The Heritage II introduced our revolutionary Zippbrush. This air-powered accessory features 3 rotating brushes that dislodges pet hair and other embedded debris in upholstery and carpeting. The Zippbrush has become a customer favorite! Aside from this popular attachment, some other features included the polymer Kirby Kaddy for attachments, improved swivel tube hose, and streamlined nozzle with brush performance indicator light.This model functions as an upright cleaner, mattress cleaner, and tank canister cleaner. Some notable attachments that were introduced with this model included the crevice tool, utility brush nozzle, duster brush, and extension wand.

The Legend II model introduced a brand new color and cleaning products that weren’t included with the previous model (Heritage II). Some of its more notable features include Micro Matic adjustment, straight suction cleaning, brush roll performance indicator, and its tank/canister cleaner.

The G3 model introduced a new look and feel to the overall Kirby! With it’s cutting-edge style and more than 60 improvements, this model was known as the “Dawn of a New Generation.” It introduced the TechDrive Power Assist feature, which has become one of our most popular features on the Kirby! This automatic transmission senses the direction and the speed you want your Kirby to go. It also makes pushing your Kirby feel almost effortless! Some other features this model provided includes the toe-touch control, belt lifter and adjustable brush roll. This model functions as an upright vacuum cleaner, a straight suction cleaner and a portable cleaner with a variety of attachments.

The Kirby G4 model featured a brand new 3-position handle locking mechanism as well as other improvements that made it easier to maneuver and function! It also included optional accessories and attachments to enhance the cleaning power and versatility of this specific model! Some other standard features for this model include toe-touch control, TechDrive Power Assist, disposable bags with Micron Magic and the belt lifter!

The Kirby G5 is one of Kirby’s most popular color by its dark maroon color and sleek design. The most unique feature of the G5 was its “Lexan” fan blade that was redesigned with the help of NASA to increase the overall suction power. Pretty cool, huh?! Some other standard features this model has includes its upright and portable cleaning abilities, toe touch control, power nozzle height adjustments and techDrive Power Assist.

The Kirby Gsix was first released in 1999 until the Ultimate G series came out in 2002. This model had a much darker look and feel to the design that gave it class! This model featured an improved brush roll, better filter bags and improved portable shampooer with a better spray pattern. Some of the other features include standard on the Kirby Gsix, such as the handle tilt latch, toe-touch control and TechDrive Power Assist.

The Ultimate G model was only around briefly when the Kirby Ultimate G series Diamond Edition home cleaning system was introduced! The Ultimate G Series offered customers an improved outer bag for better filtration and extended fan blades to help with airflow! It also included a new paddle design on the brush roll for better cleanliness. The diaphragm on the disposable bag changes from a hole to an S-shaped slice to reduce the poof factor when the bag is removed. Ball magnets were pressed into the brush roll to increase the intensity of the performance indicator light. The Ultimate G also featured the convertibility of using the vacuum as an upright cleaner, canister, and carpet shampoo system!

The Diamond Edition model was a popular model with our customers because of its classic design and improvements from the Ultimate G Series. This model included Kirby’s Allergen Reduction Filters, which provide greater filtration than paper bag filters. With its motor, brush roll and rug plate improvements, this model increased its upright clean-ability. There was also a delicate switch setting added for throw rugs and low noise cleaning!

The Sentria Model includes softer lines and gentler curves on its design, giving it a sleek and soft look. The handle was redesigned on this model to provide customers with a more ergonomic and comfortable feel. Some other changes on the Sentria you might notice from previous models include headlights changed to LED, higher nozzle bumper to provide better protection when vacuuming around chair and table legs, redesigned upholstery tool to pick up more debris than before! This model also earned the Gold Seal of Approval from the Carpet and Rug  Institute for carpet cleaning!

The Sentria II Model not only included a new and improved color scheme, but also included some major redesigns, such as the Mini Em-tor for a better handgrip and easy removal, F-Style filter bag attachment to improve bag changes, and the popular Zippbrush attachment was updated to a more modern design!

This beautiful vacuum with red accents was redesigned with the consumer in mind! The Kirby Avalir can convert into twelve separate units. With its sleek styling and smooth contours, this unit has an updated Multi-Surface Shampoo System that not only shampoos carpet but also cleans hardwood, tile and vinyl floors.

Engineered with the modern user in mind, the Kirby Avalir 2 takes cleaning to a new level. The blue-accented design is not only sleek but also functional, as comes with 15 distinct cleaning tools. Equipped with an advanced Multi-Surface Shampoo System that not only shampoos carpets but also cleans hardwood, tile, and vinyl floors with ease.