Flymo Electric Lawnmower
From Object Wiki
| Flymo electric lawnmower | |
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| Manufacturer | Flymo |
| Production years | 1969 |
| Production location | (unknown) |
Flymo electric lawnmower, 1969
With the post-war boom in suburban house building came a need for people to look after their gardens. The lawn acquired a privileged status, and by the 1960s a number of new innovations had been introduced to make its upkeep easier. Chief among these was the introduction of the first electric hover mower in 1969. Essentially a rotary mower, the Flymo had a modified cutting blade that generated a downward stream of air as it rotated. This raised the mower off the grass so that it floated, like a hovercraft, across the lawn. Its lightweight design made it popular with women, and early advertising campaigns were directed specifically at them.
This early model was known as the Flymo Electric 15. This was followed by the similar Flymo Electric 38 and the Flymo GLE. These were all basically the same, the numbers 15 and 38 denoting the width of cut in inches and cm respectively. The early version of the GLE, made approximately 1978 was also of this style, except that the hood was orange and the switch design had changed by the time the E38 was in production. Later versions of the GLE, which were followed by another E38, had a different motor and hood, at which time the gear drive had been dispensed with.
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[edit] How it works
Essentially a rotary mower, the Flymo had a modified cutting blade that generated a downward stream of air as it rotated. This raised the mower off the grass so that it floated, like a hovercraft, across the lawn.
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[edit] Memories
Yes I loved this flymo its the best one ever made better than the modern day rubish. The next one to look out for is the flymo with electromagnetic braking they made a 15" and 19"
— modle
I had one of those in for repair about three years ago and managed to get a new gear drive for it. Apparently, the Scouts group had used it for years and it had survived the test of time including being flooded at some stage.
— Stephen Smith
I first saw Flymo in Australia back in the 60's. It has been used there for all types of mowing, even at the ends of "reins" on a steep slope. To my knowledge this is where it originated.
— Anon
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Do you remember the Flymo? Add your memories. |
[edit] Other Images
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[edit] In the Science Museum
Source: Old Lawnmower Club
Entry No: E2007.313.1
Inv: no: L2008-4026
This object is currently on display in the Dan Dare & the Birth of Hi-Tech Britain exhibition at the Science Museum, London.