S.A. Xippas Vertical Fan Co. and Savory Inc. Airator 1922 to 1959, also Fanimation Fargo

[Mike Kearns]

Inventor Socrates Anthony Xippas was born to Greek parents, in Port Said, Egypt in 1886, (His birth date seems to fluctuate on government documents) becoming a naturalized immigrant American citizen. He registers for the draft like every other American during World War One.:                                                           And in 1922, begins making prototypes of an unusual fan invention:                                                             The next step for Xippas is to file for patent protection...

Edited June 29, 2023 by Mike Kearns

[Mike Kearns]

1924 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Oldest son of S.A. Xippas, Constantine Xippas, passes away suddenly..

[Mike Kearns]

1925 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Around this time, Xippas secured a U.S. government contract for his desk fan design. They have a cast-iron base and body, a stamped brass cage, and a Micarta blade. The finish is a military olive-drab wrinkle finish, and they were packaged in a relatively plain cardboard box with paper excelsior packing material. They must have not been very popular, as most examples encountered have been practically new old stock/unissued:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Another example, from the Fred Berry Collection:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             There is another version having all of the other green-wrinkled version aspects, the exception being the cage is made from thin, sheet-metal strips and wires. This example may have been re-sprayed, but is good enough to illustrate the cage variant structure:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Edited April 21, 2022 by Mike Kearns

[Mike Kearns]

1926 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

[Mike Kearns]

1927- A prolific year for Xippas, as far as patenting goes. Most notable is the Greek "amphora" styled fan, presumably falling in with the manufacturing fad of other appliance manufacturers of the time, designing appliances that give one the benefit of the appliance without the overt presence of the appliance. It was manufactured, because I saw and handled one in a friend's antique store in Virginia, painted a terra-cotta color, having sheet metal handles, and being taller than the standard ball-top fan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            April 10, 1927 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             June 18, 1927 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Four office girls make room on the desk pose for the Xippas - Image courtesy of Russ Huber:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Zeigle's Electrical Shop has what is likely a S.A.X. Safe-t-Fan for sale in this period photograph. Note the pedestal it is displayed on, which fits as if it was made for it by the factory. An example of this pedestal is yet unknown to the collecting community, if it is in fact even Xippas related. The fan also has what may possibly be a scent diffuser mounted to the top of it's cage/blade guard. - Image courtesy of Jim Kovar:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Xippas sells the right to manufacture his fan designs to Savory, Incorporated, a division of Republic Metal Ware Company:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Savory, Inc, begins hiring almost immediately,marketing the fan as the Savory Airator:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Pictured here is a complete, factory-cased Savory Airator salesman's sample carrying kit:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       An example of an Savory Airator in it's original factory packaging:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Savory Airator base showing raised OFF 1 2 3 details, image courtesy of Vic Valenchek:

[Mike Kearns]

1928 - Xippas's next to last invention, a design for an accessory turn-signal:                                   .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               And Savory, Inc. begins an aggressive advertising campaign:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        A Savory Airator in 220 volt A.C.:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               1929 - S.A. Xippas's last invention, a hot dog roaster. Wooden handles and cast aluminum and glass construction, and actually made and sold.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Savory, Incorporated soldiers on, presumably until stock is used up. Marketing seems to cease at this date.:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            And remarkably this late in the game, Xippas incorporates; this information kindly submitted by Steve Rockwell:  

Edited April 21, 2022 by Mike Kearns

[Mike Kearns]

1939 - S.A. Xippas passes away from a cerebral hemorrhage, and was buried in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania..

[Mike Kearns]

In 1959, the bank account of the S.A.X. Vertical Fan Company went abandoned, the funds ($1076.48, at the bottom of the list) going to the State of Pennsylvania if they were not claimed..                                                                                                                                 

[Mike Kearns]

Around the early-mid 2000's, Tom Frampton's Fanimation fan manufacturing company paid homage to the Xippas design with their interpretation, the Fargo desk fan. With multiple finishes and the fact they have been discontinued, they seem well destined to be the logical collector's piece to add to any Xippas or Savory collection:

[Mike Kearns]

Fanimation Fargo, brass and leather finished:                                                                                      

[Mike Kearns]

Fanimation Fargo, chrome and alligator finished:                                                                                        

Edited April 21, 2022 by Mike Kearns

[Mike Kearns]

Fanimation Fargo, Oiled Bronze and brass trimmed finish, note slide style switch:                                                .   .  

[Mike Kearns]

Fanimation Fargo, Chrome and satin silver finish, and original box:

[Floyd Double]

WOW! Thank u!

it is a pretty cool fan!

[Steve Cunningham]

If memory serves, the fan was made under three names. Xippas, and Savory, and one other I can’t remember.

[Mike Kearns]

 

A young Letterman in NBC's Studio 6A in January of 1982, at a reception marking the launch of the new Late Night with David Letterman. He moved to CBS' Late Show in 1993. Associated Press -

 

Edited December 25, 2022 by Mike Kearns

[Russ Huber]