70 years after its invention, Vornado now has reissued the classic “Vortex Tornado” fan design that inspired the company’s name. With patented engineering, and with styling by famed industrial designer Richard Ten Eyck, this Vornado fan design is one of the most famed in fan history — at peak popularity, nearly one-third of the fans sold in American were Vornados. Now reisssued, this Vornado VFAN is available in three colors — red, stainless and the gorgeous, original 1945 green. And, it’s “real metal” — yay!
Made mostly of metal like the original and updated with enhanced safety and quieter airflow. One place to get it is Amazon for $130:
Darn fun video — seriously, you gotta!
Info and photos from Vornado:
From the press release:
THE RETURN OF THE CLASSIC VORNADO – INTRODUCING VFAN™
The Vornado “Fan” That Started It All Almost 70 Years Ago Has Returned
In 1945, Vornado® introduced a fan with a unique appearance – that would soon become an icon of the “Streamlined” Age of Design. Now, nearly 70 years later, the quintessential Vornado returns as an authentic reissue called VFAN™.
The original Vornado products challenged how a fan should look and function – focusing on finely tuned aerodynamics and pure power. The result was a “fan” that looked completely different, and had the ability to circulate all the air in the room. For the first time, in an era without air conditioning, everyone in the room could be cool and comfortable. With an “air circulator” there was no longer a need to stand in front of a fan to stay cool. The secret was Vornado’s “Vortex Tornado” airflow that was so unique and powerful that it literally inspired the company’s name – “Vornado”.
Today, the VFAN™ delivers the same powerful circulation on which it’s reputation was built, and its classic styling adapts perfectly to any setting. Available in Chrome, Red and the original Vornado Green the VFAN™ blends harmoniously with any decor or color schemes. Though the classic design is a decorator’s dream, Vornado has also enhanced safety features and quieted the airflow, making VFAN™ perfect for the needs of today’s discerning consumer.
True to the original, VFAN™ is built with high standards using real metal for durability and authenticity. The VFAN™ delivers true whole room air circulation – a 70 year old concept that still out-performs stationary and oscillating fans sold today. With Whole Room Circulation, everyone in the room feels comfortable. With a VFAN™ circulating the air in the room, the room feels up to 5 degrees cooler. This allows VFAN™ owners to save money by reducing their central air conditioning bills.
The VFAN™ features 3 speed settings, and a pivoting head to direct airflow in any direction. The VFAN™ comes from an age when brands took pride in their products and stood behind them – the approach Vornado continues today. That is why VFAN™ comes with a 5 Year Complete Satisfaction Guarantee. Beyond a warranty, if a customer is not completely satisfied, Vornado® will repair or replace VFAN™ for 5 years from the date of verified original purchase.
From circulators and heaters, to air purifiers and humidifiers, Vornado has a long line of products built to keep you comfortable. Now’s your chance to own the one that started it all.
UPDATE: Some of you have been wondering why the fan blades on the Vornado VFAN are plastic, Pam even thought she read somewhere that the original fan blades were also plastic, so I reached out to Brian Cartwright from Vornado for clarification on the matter.
Brian writes:
Various models of Vornado fans did have metal blades –primarily starting in the 1950’s.
However, Vornado’s original products in the 1940’s utilized “bakelite” blades. Bakelite was among the earliest forms of plastic. And it wasn’t to save cost – actually it was very progressive. The bakelite blades were quieter, created less vibration, and were more aerodynamic. We don’t have records of what drove later models to metal blades in the 1950’s – but our plastic blades relate back to those original 1940’s bakelite models.
As this awesome website states [update: link now gone], models from 1954-1949 featured 10″ bakelite blades.
Even though plastic is passé now, it actually is a pretty cool part of the product tradition.
Personally, I love these fans and immediately wanted one — as my husband has been complaining about the need for a fan in-between air conditioning and heating season. The only reason I don’t have one yet — I can’t decide on a color — all three of them are great options to coordinate with retro decor.
Readers — what color would you choose?
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Neil says
It certainly is a stylish, pretty object, but I have the say the matte-black plastic blades look cheap and classless. It’s true the vintage blades, so they say, were bakelite, an early form of plastic, but surely they looked more substantial and design-savvy than these new cheapo blades do.
There; I got that off my sweaty chest.
Magnarama says
I’m lucky enough to own one of the original monster-size “full room air circulator” Vornados, and it does one hellacious job of moving air. Never been serviced and runs like a champ. Got it for something like $45, maybe 12-13 years ago. Plus it has that script Vornado logo in silver metal, right across the front grille, just like the nameplate on the tailfin of a vintage Chevy. The whole thing looks like nothing so much as a turbine housing ripped off the wing of a PanAm Clipper.
As for colors, most of the originals I’ve seen then and now are a kind of battleship grey, or a greyish green. While they’re nice, none of the colors listed here look very original to me. But whether vintage or new, all the Vornado products I’ve dealt with have been very high quality products.
Cheryl says
I seriously just saw a chrome one on display at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and was like, “WHAT”. Stoked to hear about the green and brass version! The only thing that’s kept me from buying a vintage one is how wide the grate is spaced and my fear of injured fingers and paws. This is a dream come true for my ceiling fan free living room!
Heather says
I have this fan in the green and it is lovely – although perhaps a bit more of a “dusty” period green than how it appears in the top photo. Be aware, though, that it is much smaller than the original, so be sure to check the measurements to avoid disappointment. I will say, however, that even for its small size it packs a mighty punch and we’ve been very satisfied with its cooling capabilities.
Tut says
You realize that putting “real metal” in quotes like that makes it less believable, right? http://www.unnecessaryquotes.com
pam kueber says
“poetic license”
🙂
Josie says
I definitely love the green best.
Mike says
Just found this promotional item from Vornado. Wow, were those days wild! http://hepcatrestorations.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/vornado-spacelady.jpg
pam kueber says
WOAH!
Marty says
The old ad sold me.looks like something mad men created
George says
I want this ad. Are you open to selling!
Mike says
The green is righteous, but I kinda like the red, too, which would look best in my kitchen. Hadn’t heard of Vornado before this article. Looks like a powerful little fan if I do say so myself. Unobtrusive is another word I’d use to describe it. It’s… uh… cool!
Jennifer says
Green. Duh. (LOVE THIS!)
Price says
Wow. This is fascinating. I have a Vornado blender that I inherited from my grandmother. Did not know they made fans as well, lol. The blender has a variable speed dial like a modern day Vitamix and a timer with a buzzer that scared the living daylights out of me when it spontaneously went off. I thought it was possessed for a minute.
Cynthia says
Price, so funny – “I thought I was possessed for a minute”
That’s a good one!