Take a look at the Liberator vacuum cleaner from Creamery by Skaneateles. It still works, but it lacks attachments. Courtesy of Theresa and David Sp provided by Theresa and David Spearing
What happens when the family storyteller dies and takes away the stories and memories of generations?
This was the idea of Theresa Spearing of Skaneateles five years ago, when she saw a framed newspaper advertisement for vacuum cleaners at her aunt’s home in Florida.
The ad was produced for Flanigan Industries, the Skaneateles company, which is selling its “famous Liberator vacuum cleaner.”
-After World War II, Robert Flannigan founded a vacuum cleaner company in Skaneateles. Courtesy of Theresa and David Sp provided by Theresa and David Spearing
According to the undated advertisement, “Modern Canister Vacuum Cleaner and All its Accessories” can save $24 for only $49.50.
Thousands of machines have been sold in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and other big cities.
She knew that her grandfather, Robert S. Flannigan, opened a vacuum cleaner company in the village after World War II and created hundreds of jobs for returning soldiers, but there were few other than that.
Spearing never had a chance to meet her grandfather. He died on March 23, 1947, at the age of 50, three months before she was born.
When she was growing up, she had heard that he was an outstanding figure in Skaneateles and was an “important asset of the community.”
But it is difficult to learn more about this person. Her grandmother also passed away, and her mother rarely talked about her family.
It was this advertisement designed for her grandfather’s vacuum cleaner company that inspired Theresa Spearing to write a booklet about it. Courtesy of Theresa and David Sp provided by Theresa and David Spearing
But seeing a small part of her family history triggered something in her heart, and she knew she wanted to do something for the descendants of her family.
When she got home, she went to the Skaneateles Historical Society in the cream factory to see what she could find.
“They started handing me the documents left and right,” she said. “I haven’t said enough to the workers there.”
Robert Flannigan was born in Prospect Park, Pennsylvania in 1896. He is a veteran of the First World War and served as the first class deputy to the mechanic in the US Navy.
After the war, he worked for Electrolux and served as the manager of the Syracuse branch from 1932 to 1940. He settled in Skanie Atles, married and had four children.
He was then promoted to department manager for southeast New Orleans. When he was there, he longed to return to his beloved Skaneateles.
Company officials told “Skaneateles Press” that they would “completely change the vacuum cleaner industry.”
“It is more powerful than any other portable machine on the market today,” a spokesperson said. “Its main advantage lies in its cylindrical structure, which can accommodate all parts and accessories.”
Take a close look at the logo of the “Liberator” vacuum cleaner on the tank. Courtesy of Theresa and David Sp provided by Theresa and David Spearing
The new device is more than just a vacuum. It can also be used as a “spray device” for mothproof clothing and for applying paint and wax.
Although no one knows exactly what Flannigan thought when he came up with the name, Spilling has two theories.
During World War II, Flannigan’s son and Spearing’s father John flew a B-24 bomber, the so-called Liberator. It is also possible that this new powerful cleaner is advertised as “freeing people from heavy housework.”
He told the Associated Press: “We want to start with an assembly team with 150 employees and 800 salespeople.”
“According to my observations, we will see a high concentration of manufacturing after the war,” he continued. “We will operate an assembly plant and a sales organization.”
The name of the “Liberator” vacuum cleaner may come from the B-24 Liberator bomber that was driven by Robert Flannigan’s son John during World War II. Courtesy of Theresa and David Sp provided by Theresa and David Spearing
“This project is one of the first projects that really took shape in the country after the war,” “Skaneateles Press” reported.
The “Liberator” quickly became popular. Its story was included in the “New York Times” and “Wall Street Journal”.
Robert Flannigan was only 50 years old and died of a heart attack while wearing clothes on Sunday morning.
More than 70 years after the death of Robert Flannigan, his never-before-seen granddaughter worked hard and collected information.
Her son and daughter-in-law suggested that she write a small book so that future generations could have a written record of her grandfather’s achievements.
Teresa Spearing (third from right) is the “only one who didn’t pay attention” to the camera, she joked with Robert Flannigan’s other grandchildren. She wrote her pamphlet so that everyone in the family would have a written record of their family story. Courtesy of Theresa and David Sp provided by Theresa and David Spearing
She was very worried, remembering that “composition” was not her favorite activity in school.
With the help of her husband David, she published a booklet about her grandfather and his company.
She was very happy that she had done something she had never dreamed of and had the opportunity to make a written record of part of her family story.
Herald-Journal advertisement for the “famous” Liberator vacuum cleaner manufactured by Flannigan Industries in Skaneateles. This should be a few weeks before the company’s reorganization. Courtesy of World Archives courtesy of World Archives
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This feature is part of CNY Nostalgia on syracuse.com. Send your thoughts and curiosity to Johnathan Croyle at jcroyle@syracuse.com or call 315-427-3958.
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Post time: Aug-22-2021