Little Henry

Toy Vacuum Cleaner
2007 (manufactured), 1968 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a scaled down version of Numatic International's popular Henry vacuum cleaner range, produced as a toy by Casdon. With its anthropomorphic design giving it a human face, the original vacuum cleaner's appeal to children is evident; the toy version combines this with a child's interest in imitating adult duties. This design also actually works, with a battery powered motor and removable dust tray.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleLittle Henry (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Moulded plastic
Brief description
Vacuum cleaner toy, plastic, 'Little Henry', made for Casdon in China, licenced by Numatic International, UK, 2007.
Physical description
Main body is a cylinder made of red plastic, with a cartoon face and hose attachment for nose. The hose has a black plastic attachment, followed by transparent tube, with black fixing halfway along, and black vacuum cleaner head on the end. The main body is on four wheels, two small black ones at the front and two larger black and red ones at the back. There is a removable dust tray at the back. On top is a removable black lid, with lift up handle and white cable which can be unwound. The cable has a plug attachment which has a sucker instead of prongs. The lid can be lifted off and inside the red body is a space where the attachments can be stored, including a small white plastic dustpan and brush. There is a battery compartment in the base.
Dimensions
  • Main body height: 23cm
  • Main body width: 23cm
  • Main body depth: 23cm
  • Hose and attachments length: 95cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
'Henry'
Gallery label
(01/07/2023)
Keep it spick and span

Don’t put things up your nose… unless you have a powerful snout like Little Henry. It can swallow up any messes you get into on your way.

Little Henry toy vacuum cleaner
Designed by Numatic International Ltd, Beaminster, England
Manufactured by Casdon, China
2007
Museum no. B.236-2010

[Young V&A, Imagine Gallery, Adventure, short object label]
Production
The original Henry vacuum cleaner was designed in 1968.
Subject depicted
Summary
This is a scaled down version of Numatic International's popular Henry vacuum cleaner range, produced as a toy by Casdon. With its anthropomorphic design giving it a human face, the original vacuum cleaner's appeal to children is evident; the toy version combines this with a child's interest in imitating adult duties. This design also actually works, with a battery powered motor and removable dust tray.
Collection
Accession number
B.236-2010

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Record createdJune 24, 2011
Record URL
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