This appliance was a time saving method of cleaning floors. It appeared at a time (after World War II) when the domestic pressures faced by mothers and domestic staff was on the increase. The necessary "working parents" was through necessity becoming part of the "typical" family environment. It was the start of the ever increasing demand, from an economical reason, for both parents to work outside their property. Historically the period of the 1950s was one of extreme changes. It was an era where established role models were under pressure from an ever increasing demand for new and advancing consumerism. Communication levels via radio, newspapers and television was expanding at an ever increasing rate. Relatively isolated rural areas were opening up (post war) to foreign ideologies of consumerism. The basic restraints of "this will be alright mate, she'll do" was under a slow but effective take over. "I can get this done faster by this new whiz bang gadget that I saw on the TV last night!" was the new way to live by.This item is very significant in that it demonstrates the new consumerism at its infant stage of the social changes occurring due to greater communication levels between the rural Australian communities and other advancing communities world wide. The Kiewa Valley residents (mainly from the intermingling of rural and post World War II refugees working at the construction of the Victorian Hydro electricity installations, resulted in this rural area becoming integrated to new ways of living (both socially and economically). Once the attitude of "we have always done it this way mate!" was challenged and overcome, the acceptance of new time saving "gadgets" which started to pour in from foreign markets, the relative isolation of the Kiewa Valley (being mainly psychological entrenched), was over.This hoover electric floor scrubber and polisher has a main base containing two brushes (can be replaced with polishing pads). The two brushes/pads are fastened or removed from the base unit by pulling/pushing the heads from the small hexagonal shaft on the bottom of the machine motor. A pressure sensitive wire is inlaid at the brush/pad end to hold the brush/pad unit onto the shaft. The discs body and main body covering the electric motor are made from sturdy plastic. The rest of the appliance materials i.e. upright handle and the u framed attaching arm are made from lightweight powder coated steel. A small (350mm) red coloured foot switch protrudes from the back of the motor to release the the upright handle from the storage position to the action position.There are two fork shaped brackets on the rear of the handle, for securing the 6.5 metre long electrical cord and plug. There is no on/off switch on the appliance. A small stainless steel "u" framed clip (for hanging the appliance in the vertical position) for cupboard storage. Within the circle of the cleaning brush is stamped "1 above S.A.B.351" and on the opposite side P/No: 5023792". On the main plastic head of the brush discs are "TO CLEAN" and under this "USE ONLY WARM(underlined) WATER AND SOAP" on the opposite side, and within a circle is the Hoover Trademark. On the front of the blue coloured plastic dome covering the electric motor is (on a raised domed shaped plaque (on a red background) Hoover in slanted print from left to right(in a diagonal level)domestic appliances, floor cleaning, electric floor scrubbers and polishers

Stamped 'A.W. McNeill'. Labelled 'This book belonged to Archie McNeil who was engineer on the S.S. Narrabeen 1928 as mentioned in the book Western Port Ferries'.

CATALOGUE -Labled "STORES" and B&D.B.H. in pen on front cover First Page - 1948 Catalogue Grey hard covered Catalogue 336 pages DHA publication (Drug Houses of Australia Limited)Personal Markings -"STORES"

File: quotes for purchases and repairs

A reference book used buy Nurse Margaret Glennen who completed her nurse training at St Vincents Hospital Melbourne in 1943. The book is illustrated and provides details of instruments used in an extensive number of operations and procedures. Nurses were expected to learn the names of instruments and the procedures for their training in operating theatres and outpatient clinics. Handwritten inside cover, "Margaret Glennen S.V.H." The cost of the book was 6 shillings. harold burrows, margaret glennen, st vincent's hospital melbourne nurse training

Soft covered catalogue with illustrations and some photographs of items of items in industrial situations. non-fictionchain belt engineering company, elevators, fulham gas works, beckton gasworks, sheffield gasworks, chains

Soft covered catalogue from H.B. Silberberg & Co. Includes images.non-fictionequipment, tools, catalogue, braun laboratory appliances, h.b. silberberg, assay, chemistry, apparatus

100 page catalogue from F.W. Barun. Includes numerous line illustrations.non-fictionj.w. glover, john w. glover, crushers, furnaces, blowpipe outfits, cupel machines, blowpipe