Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) 1929 - On April 12, 1929, inventor Claude A. Hendrickson of Denver, Colorado, applies for a patent for a new type of circulator fan "A ventilator fan comprising a hub provided with a plurality of narrow fan blades that extend radially from the hub, the front sides being flat and inclined to the plane of rotation, the rear sides being convex, the outer end of each blade being provided with a tip that extends from one side thereof, and lies substantially in the plane of rotation". Notable features besides the unusual blade design are a ball bearing motor, supported inside of a motor supporting ring, biased by rubber vibration insulating pads, which results in a quieter running circulator. There are a ceiling mounted circulator, a pedestal circulator, and wall mounted exhaust fans in the production line-up.. Edited June 29, 2023 by Mike Kearns Quote
Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Author Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) 1930 - October 15, 1930 - Edited January 17, 2023 by Mike Kearns Quote
Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Author Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) 1931 - On September 29, 1931, Hendrickson receives a patent for his concept, U.S. patent 1825114: With his patent finally issuing, Hendrickson begins marketing his product: Edited January 17, 2023 by Mike Kearns Quote
Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Author Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) 1932 - More images of a ceiling suspended Airex, kindly shared by Joe Wilson, who took the images at the Corner Drug Cafe, in Clifton Texas: The Airex pictured is over the front doorway of the Corner Drug Cafe (formerly Corner Drug Store). From the Corner Drug Cafe website: Edited March 30 by Mike Kearns Quote
Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Author Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) 1933 - Edited January 17, 2023 by Mike Kearns Quote
Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Author Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) 1934 - Edited January 17, 2023 by Mike Kearns Quote
Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Author Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) 1935 - Edited January 17, 2023 by Mike Kearns Quote
Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Author Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) 1936 - Edited January 17, 2023 by Mike Kearns Quote
Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Author Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) Early 1937 seems to be the last year the Airex circulators are actively marketed. The company still exists today, making evaporative coolers, still under the same family: Edited January 17, 2023 by Mike Kearns Quote
Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Author Posted January 17, 2023 1976 - The founder, designer and inventor of Airex, Claud A. Hendrickson passes on. Quote
Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Author Posted January 17, 2023 Shown here is a fine example of an Airex pedestal circulator, courtesy of R. Harrison Picard, who deserves a special thanks, as there were to date, NO detailed images of this fan make, until now, and he did a fine job providing them for us to all enjoy: Quote
Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Author Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) There's no doubt Hendrickson was proud of his Airex products. There is a data plate for the motor support ring. There is a second data plate on the motor, viewable only when the rear motor cover is removed. There is a cage badge, and finally a data plate riveted to the chromed pedestal pole: Edited January 17, 2023 by Mike Kearns Quote
Mike Kearns Posted January 17, 2023 Author Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) The one-speed fan is started and turned off with a single pull Levolier switch made by McGill Manufacturing Company Inc., of Valparaiso, Indiana. The 27 pound, 1140 RPM AC motor of this fan is in pristine condition, having brilliant factory black enamel: Edited January 17, 2023 by Mike Kearns Quote
Arjun Saini Posted January 17, 2023 Posted January 17, 2023 4 hours ago, Mike Kearns said: The one-speed fan is started and turned off with a single pull Levolier switch made by McGill Manufacturing Company Inc., of Valparaiso, Indiana. The 27 pound, 1140 RPM AC motor of this fan is in pristine condition, having brilliant factory black enamel: Yep that airex is owned by a good friend of mine, he loves it to death! Quote
Russ Huber Posted January 17, 2023 Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) Does anyone know of another motor manufacturer other than Emerson to use FRAME and STYLE identification in this fashion on centrifugal start utility motors in that time period? Edited January 18, 2023 by Russ Huber 2 Quote
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