Kirby Vacuum Cleaner History
A reference resource for Kirby collectors, refurbishers, and historians; a tribute to James B. Kirby – the prolific, self-taught inventor who spent a lifetime designing the vacuum cleaners that still carry his name. It celebrates the man and his machines: how they work, how to keep them running, and why they were built to outlive their owners. (Lowell Thomas told his story in 1935.)
Explore the models list below, or jump to my restoration blog (teardowns & repairs), the Parts & Tools page (parts cross-reference + make-your-own service-tool models), the patents archive, & the "Suck It!" game.
List of Kirby Models
Models from 1915–1934, such as The Vacuette, were marketed under Scott & Fetzer Co.
James B. Kirby designed machines until the Dual Sanitronic 50. He died in 1971.
| Year | Model | Image | Notes | Owner's Manuals | Service Manuals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934–1935 | C/R |  |
First Kirby-branded machine. Model R was sold at retail with a handle switch. | C · R | — (Use 505–562 Service Manual) |
| 1935–1937 | 1C/1R |  |
Added headlight, and bakelite belt lifter cover emblem instead of brass. | 1C · 1R | — (Use 505–562 Service Manual) |
| 1937–1939 | 2C/2R |  |
Introduced streamlined 5xx-style headlight and front nozzle. | 2C · 2C (alt) | — (Use 505–562 Service Manual) |
| 1939–1940 | 3C/3R |  |
New 10-blade fan, rear axle integrated into motor housing. | 3C | — (Use 505–562 Service Manual) |
| 1940–1941 | 4C/4R |  |
More powerful motor, larger Emptor. | 4C · 4R · 4R (alt) | — (Use 505–562 Service Manual) |
| 1945–1947 | 505 |  |
1945 copy of 4C due to World War II, 1946+ added patented "Magic Finger". | 1945 · 1946 · 1947 | 505 – 562 |
| 1948 | 508 |  |
New red/black color scheme, introduced "Kirby Kabinet" attachment storage cabinet. | Manual | |
| 1949 | 509 |  |
Smaller bag size. Introduced "Suds-O-Gun" upholstery cleaner dispenser, and "Handi-Butler" polisher. | Manual | |
| 1950 | 510 |  |
Introduced "Sweet-Aire" scent dispenser and ball-chain cuff-slide bag holder. | Manual | |
| 1951 | 511 |  |
Almost identical to 510 due to Korean War. | Manual | |
| 1952 | 512 |  |
Added Sanitation Kit; front wheel bracket and Handi-Butler made of inferior metal. | Manual | |
| 1953 | 513 |  |
Added more red to plastic parts, new Kirby logo. | Manual | 513 |
| 1954 | 514 |  |
Cord improvements, including flip-down cord hook on handle. | Manual | 505 – 562 |
| 1955 | 515 |  |
Bag and wheels now matte gray, a scheme that continued until the 561. | Manual | |
| 1956 | 516 |  |
"50th Anniversary", switch integrated into motor housing, for aesthetics and safety. | Manual | 516 |
| 1957 | 517 |  |
Vinyl hose and better plastic for attachments. | Manual | 505 – 562 |
| 1958 | 518 |  |
Stylistic enhancements, Handi-Butler improved. | Manual | |
| 1959 | 519 |  |
Carbon brushes no longer screw in from outside the motor housing. | Manual | |
| 1960 | 560 |  |
Handle grip painted metal, brighter red on plastic trim. | Manual | |
| 1961 | 561 |  |
Handle grip now plastic, motor vent more chevron-like. | Manual | |
| 1962 | 562 "Sanitronic" |  |
Unique brown/white style, first with "Sanitronic" name. | Manual | |
| 1963–1965 | Sanitronic VII |  |
Hose introduced new universal blower/suction coupling. | Manual | VII – 1CR |
| 1965–1967 | Dual Sanitronic 50A = Apr. 1965 - May. 1966 B = Jun. 1966 - Dec. 1966 D = Jan. 1967 - Aug. 1967 |
 |
Introduced dual speed motor. Advertised as doing "50 different tasks" around the house. | Manual | |
| 1967–1970 | Dual Sanitronic 80A = Sep. 1967 - May. 1968 Jun. 1968 - Dec. 1969 no letter used |
 |
Has a '60s avocado-green theme. Advertised as doing "80 different tasks" around the house. | Manual | |
| 1970–1973 | Classic (1CR)R = Jan. 1970 - Jun. 1970 S = Jul. 1970 - Dec. 1970 T = Jan. 1971 - Dec. 1971 A = Jan. 1972 - Aug. 1972 B = Sep. 1972 - Jun. 1973 |
 |
Redesigned motor housing, "Generation 2" Kirby design that lasted until Legend II. New Kirby logo from 1969. | 1971 · 1972 | Parts List (Use VII–1CR Service Manual) |
| 1973–1976 | Classic Omega (1-CB)M = Jul. 1973 - Dec. 1973 (Gold Bag) N = Jan. 1974 - Sep. 1974 (Pinstriped Bag) P = Oct. 1974 - Sep. 1975 (Diamondback Bag) R = Sep. 1975 - Jun. 1976 (Diamondback Bag) |
 |
Introduced double-insulated motor and plastic headlight cap. The motor/switch design was used until Legend II. | Early · Late | Parts List (Use VII–1CR Service Manual) |
| 1976–1979 | Classic III (2-CB)A = Jul. 1976 - Dec. 1976 B = Jan. - Jul. 1977 C = Jul. - Dec. 1977 D = Jan. 1978 - Aug. 1978 E = Sep. 1978 - Jun. 1979 |
 |
All red color scheme, redesigned plastic belt lifter. | Apr 1978 · Oct 1978 · Alt | Parts List (Use VII–1CR Service Manual) |
| 1979–1981 | Tradition (3-CB)F = Jul. 1979 - Feb. 1980 G = Mar. 1980 - Feb. 1981 H = Mar. - Aug. 1981 |
 |
All blue color scheme, added new squarer headlight/lens design used until Legend II, introduced replaceable paper bags (Style 1 bags). Last model with metal emptor. | 1979 · 1981 | Parts List (Use VII–1CR Service Manual) |
| 1981–1983 | Heritage (1-HD)1st number = Factory location. 2nd/3rd = Year of manufacture. 4th/5th = Month of manufacture. remaining = Unit № in production. |
 |
Added more attachments, and better Style 2 bags. There was also a rare '84 variant. | 1981 · 1982 · 1983 · Super Renovation · Home Turbo · Handi Butler | Heritage & Heritage II |
| 1984–1986 | Heritage II (2-HD)1st number = Factory location. 2nd/3rd = Year of manufacture. 4th/5th = Month of manufacture. remaining = Unit № in production. |
 |
Introduced "Mini-Emptor" and Style 3 bags. | 1984 · 1986 · Split Second | |
| 1987–1989 | Heritage II Legend (2-HD)1st number = Factory location. 2nd/3rd = Year of manufacture. 4th/5th = Month of manufacture. remaining = Unit № in production. |
 |
AKA "Legend I". Hose ends now sadly plastic instead of metal. | Manual | Parts List (Use Heritage II Service Manual) |
| 1989–1991 | Legend II (2-HD)1st number = Factory location. 2nd/3rd = Year of manufacture. 4th/5th = Month of manufacture. remaining = Unit № in production. |
 |
Maroon color scheme, last to have shake-out bag option, and last of the "classic" Kirbys. | Manual · Vacuette | |
| 1990–1993 | G3 |  |
Introduced Micron Magic twist-on bags + self-propel "Tech Drive". "Generation 3" design that built on Classic 1CR "Gen 2" design. | Manual | G3 – Sentria Parts List |
| 1993–1997 | G4 |  |
Improvements to Tech Drive and handle tilt latch. | Manual | |
| 1997–1999 | G5 |  |
Multiple design tweaks, NASA-designed fan system. | Manual | |
| 1999–2001 | G6 |  |
Introduced Style F HEPA bags, which are backwards compatible to G3. | Manual | |
| 2002–2003 | Ultimate G |  |
"G7" Improved brushroll and airflow, introduced matte gray scheme to blend into any room. | Manual | |
| 2003–2006 | Diamond Edition |  |
Final iteration of the G series, last with coin slot, arguably the best model to get secondhand for real cleaning. | Manual | |
| 2006–2012 | Sentria |  |
More modern handle, lighter design (more plastic). | Manual | |
| 2012–2014 | Sentria II |  |
Return to brown bag/trim scheme. Mini-Emptor becomes smaller (size used today). | Manual | — (Unavailable) |
| 2014–2018 | Avalir |  |
Avalir starts the modern era, although this first incarnation is known to have reliability problems. | kirby.com Link | — (Unavailable) |
| 2018–2024 | Avalir 2 |  |
2nd incarnation of the Avalir with a blue and black color scheme; still commonly sold. | kirby.com Link | — (Unavailable) |
| 2024–2026 | Avalir Platinum |  |
Latest model, return to black/chrome scheme of 505. Includes sound dampening system. | kirby.com Link | — (Unavailable) |
Extras
James Kirby: The Man that Revolutionized the American Home (Lowell Thomas, 1935)
Kirby 510 "Proof" Booklet (1950)
Kirby 513 Launch Booklet (engineering dept. 1953)
Scott & Fetzer Manual (pre-Kirby era)
Keystone Vacuette Manual (non-electric, pre-Kirby era)
Keystone Models B & J Manual (pre-Kirby era)
Keystone Model E Manual (equivalent to Kirby Model R)
James B. Kirby portrait painting (Walter H. Chapman)
Check what year/model your bag is at collectingdust.com/bags-bags-bags.
