Hot Air From Vornado

2012-01-19T10:01:00.000-08:00

In her segment “Chilling - Hot Ideas for Cold Weather Living” Washington Post reporter Jura Koncius describes a number of helpful tips to keep comfortable this winter. From upgrading your thermostat, to heated matress pads, to simple layering with Robes and cozy throws - there are a range of ways to keep energy usage down and remain warm during cold winter months.

Jura also describes the benefits of upgrading your space heater. “Over the years, the space heater, a popular alternative heating source, has morphed into a safer, smarter and more stylish home appliance. A new model from Vornado has technology that senses the heat around it and communicates with the heater to maintain a desired temperature. The unit has a digital touch-screen control and a cool-touch outer case that never heats up, according to Brian Cartwright, a Vornado spokesman.

A hand-held remote senses the temperature of the room, then tells the unit to heat up or cool down to maintain the perfect comfort level. But be careful: When you buy any space heater, it is important to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Always keep portable heaters away from furniture, bedding and curtains. Vornado model TVH 600 is $209.99. www.vornado.com.”Of course, we couldn’t agree more - The red, glowing space heater you may remember as a kid has seen some sizeable technology upgrades - and with the energy and dollar savings potential, it’s well worth it to know what new options are out there.

Heaters, Circulators and Fans - Christmas Special Offers From Vornado

2011-12-08T09:36:00.000-08:00

Comfort & Joy - Save on Vornado Products in Time For Christmas

Comfort & Joy...
...and savings that will warm your wallet

Here's a link to the good stuff!

Up to 50% off and free shipping on select products - plus get
free shipping on all orders over $99.99 - Now Through Dec. 20th

Flippi V6 Passion- $14.99, free shipping
510 Circulator - $29.99, free shipping
715 Circulator - $49.99 (50% off), free shipping
VH103 Heater - $69.99, free shipping
153 Tower + Flippi V6 Passion Combo - $69.99, free shipping

Forward To A Friend http://vornadoair.forwardtomyfriend.com/r/l/2AD73FFF/itsukl/l/b
Tweet This Deal http://vornadoair.createsend1.com/t/r/tw/itsukl/l/n/
Like Vornado On Facebook http://vornadoair.createsend1.com/t/r/fb/itsukl/l/p/

Limited time offer. Promotion begins 12/8/11, and ends at
11:59 PM 12/20/11. Free shipping offer valid on Flippi V6,
Model 510, Model 715, VH103 and Model 153 via standard UPS
ground shipping within the US. Free shipping also applies to
any order over $99.99 before tax. Special pricing applies to
Flippi V6 (Passion only), Model 510, Model 715, VH103 and Model
153 Limit 5 items per customer. While supplies last.
Prior purchases are not included. This offer cannot be combined
with, or exchanged with, previous offers. Offer limited to
www.vornado.com. Orders cannot be placed via phone or email.
Shipment within the US only. Resale is not permitted.
Other restrictions may apply.

1950s Vornado Turnabout Fan

2011-11-30T11:16:00.001-08:00

1950s Vornado Turnabout Fan
Originally uploaded by Kimberly Roberts

Beautiful Example of a classic Vornado Turnabout Fan.

A little something for theCHIVE

2011-05-13T14:59:00.000-07:00

We've accepted theCHIVE's "If it fits, it ships" challenge to ship some random stuff in a USPS Flat Rate box.

In theory a Chive blogger will be reading this any time now. This will afford us the opportunity to tell you that the Raspberry Zippi is for Emily at theBERRY. The original idea was to ship you guys some green Zippi's- but we went and discontinued those awhile back- so no dice.

And that 660 Circulator we sent you... we weren't going to be deterred by the limitations of the Flat Rate Box... Not for a PR gimmick like this. No sir. Now, could you place it riight... here? Thaaanks.

Now, enjoy the cat videos.

And if that's not enough random cat nonsense for you... then here's some more.

How to best circulate air in an office?

2011-05-05T06:56:00.000-07:00

We received a really good question from @blua on Twitter - so we figured we'd share it here for others to reference. She even provided a scaled diagram to ensure we knew the lay of the land!

The question was:
"New office has no circulation. How do I know if I need a small or medium air circulator?"

I consulted one of our expert customer service reps, Adrienne, for her feedback.

Miss Blua A. Hurd: Here is our reply!

Good Morning,

For an office they’ll want a quiet unit. I would recommend the 660, because it can move lots of air on the low and medium speeds, without generating much noise. Actually, on medium, you can barely hear the circulator, but it’s moving more air than the 530 on high and 630 on low/medium. Definitely, go with the 660!

Below are the CFM and Decibel readings of the 660, 184 Tower, 630 and 530. This should help explain further.

660
CFM: Turbo-584/High-459/Medium-349/Low-257
Decibel: Turbo-67/High-61/Medium-55/Low-50

184 Tower
CFM: Turbo-500/High-407/Medium-315/Low-226
Decibel: Turbo-68/High-63/Medium-55/Low-50

630
CFM: High-389/Medium-304/Low-241
Decibel: High-67/Medium-60/Low-54

530
CFM: High-283/Medium-222/Low-152
Decibel: High-68/Medium-61/Low-52

Let me know if you need more info.

Adrienne

-------

Adrienne rocks - and I tend to agree with her that the 660's ability to circulate your office with nary a whisper makes it an excellent choice. It's worth noting that even our smallest 530B would certainly provide ample circulation, but you'd likely want to turn it to "high" on a few of those hot summer days, which would mean a higher sound level. Plus, the 660's cool gloss finish and chrome adjustment bar make it a good fit for a professional environment! (Your coworkers will be envious.)

Final thought, with that bunny-fur, a little extra circulation power couldn't hurt, right?
(If you wonder what that means- you'll just have to check out @blua on Twitter!)

This is what makes it all worthwhile

2011-02-14T10:23:00.001-08:00

Sometimes you have one of those conversations via social networks. The conversation that was so amusing/strange/inspirational/shocking/etc. that it makes your day. Here was one such conversation. I can't begin to describe why the term "besmirched" is so hilarious to me- it just is. Thanks to @kishmeintouches for the great engagement!

The OPPOSITE of a Vornado heater

2011-01-26T14:48:00.001-08:00

Ran across this on Ebay... it's a vintage fan that uses a 220V hot plate mounted to the grill. Hmm - super hot coils, within easy reach?? Think of it as the EXACT OPPOSITE approach Vornado takes to heater design. At least they used a cool color though!

1954 Vornado Owner's Guide

2011-01-26T11:52:00.000-08:00

For all you Vintage Vornado enthusiasts, here's the first of what I hope to be many more Vintage manuals for your information and entertainment. These manuals are beautiful to behold - the design and printing characteristic of the mid 50's is simply phenomenal.

1954 Vornado Owner's Guide (9MB, PDF)

Or view this nifty Flash version.

Ridiculously Talented Designer Needed

2011-01-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

If you are a ridiculously talented designer, we ought to talk. I know - the economy's still sluggish, nobody's hiring... yet, here we are, seeking a graphic designer. Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign? Absolutely. Dreamweaver, Flash, Premiere? Sure would be nice. Pre-press and on press experience? You bet.

Here's a link to the posting. You'll find an email address where you can submit your resume.

There are alternatives to a Vornado.

2010-11-18T09:03:00.001-08:00

Discovered this little gem via Topcultured.com I guess you don't HAVE to buy a Vornado heater - there are alternatives.

Vornado Whole Room Heaters - What really makes a Vornado Heater superior to other "space heaters?"

2010-11-12T11:19:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder how a Vornado can heat the room so effectively, yet avoid the scalding hot suface temperatures that many space heaters create? What makes a Vornado Whole Room Heater different, and more effective, than your typical "space heater?"

Vornado Product Reviews - Now Showing at Vornado.com

2010-08-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

It is with great excitement that I announce the debut of Product Reviews functionality at the Vornado website. Here are just a few of the product reviews phenomena that get my marketing mojo moving:

1.) But Don't Take My Word For It: Those famous "Reading Rainbow" lines are indelibly etched into my memory. Bypass the slick advertising copy and read what real people are saying about the product. Their input is more likely to match your experience.

2.) You Have A Voice (And we're listening): We're increasingly empowered to have a say in... well... nearly anything. Why should having a means to voice your product opinions be any different. While the product teams at Vornado have always monitored reviews (via Amazon, Epinions, etc.) we think it's important for our customers to know their voice is being heard - at the source. We're not just monitoring - we're truly listening. The input influences every product we make.

3.) I Want That One: Product reviews typically include all manner of insights onto how the product is used, how effective it is, as well as high and low points of the form and function. On Vornado.com, we've asked reviewers to give individual ratings to a product's Performance, Value, Appearance, Quality, and Sound output (Quiet operation). If one area is of more importance to you, this is an excellent way to narrow down your selections.

If you own a Vornado product - consider this your invitation to speak your mind by writing a product review. It only takes about a minute - and your feedback will help us build better products, and help others make better buying decisions.

Racer 0.1 Arcade-Reality Mashup

2010-08-06T15:06:00.000-07:00

RACER DEMO 0.1 - video game mashup from sputnic on Vimeo.

Fun With Vortex Action

2010-08-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

I was immediately endeared to this YouTube clip of two kiddos who discovered that Balloon + Vornado = Fun. Many thanks to Mizzork for the delightful upload!

What is the Best Fan for A Kitchen?

2010-07-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

Why, the Undercabinet Fan, of Course!

Undercabinet Fan from Vornado from Vornado on Vimeo.

New Terms for Summer Heat Relief - Lemonado

2010-07-28T16:03:00.000-07:00

A simple tweet from @JTorrantArt inspired the above concept. Now I am obsessed with juxtaposing other refreshing summer experiences with our brand name. Gee, thanks @JTorrantArt - all I needed was another thing to fixate on! ;)

Perfectly Vintage - Vornado fan and curtains make a great pair

2010-07-28T07:26:00.001-07:00

Vornado
Originally uploaded by poopscape

I encountered this photo recently posted by poopscape on Flickr. I absolutely love the combination of the vintage Vornado in conjunction with the vintage window treatments behind it. The strong backlighting also adds some real style and tone to the shot. Many thanks for sharing this beautiful photo, poopscape! If you have a Vornado photo you'd like to share, be sure to post it to our Flickr Group - Vornado Fan Club.

Get The 733 Linen Circulator Before It's Gone - $69.99

2010-07-07T13:23:00.001-07:00

Alas we must bid a fond farewell to our trusty 733 Linen. The sophisticated two tone color pallette will never grace store shelves again. We've taken the price down to $69.99 to supplement the sell-through on our circulator cessation.

So that's what Translational Velocity looks like.

2010-07-07T13:19:00.001-07:00

An interesting video on Translational Velocity. I didn't know what it was before this video, and now I do - this is why I posted it. I'm not one of those people that claims that I have been sitting around wondering what Translational Velocity might look like.

Old Spice is up their old Shennanigans. And I still love it.

2010-07-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

Incidentally, if anyone missed the interview with the two brilliant fellows that started this whole thing, I have included it as well.

Dews Toothbrush

2010-06-23T10:02:00.001-07:00

As a borderline germophobe, I am kicking myself for not thinking of this. It's like a tippy cup of tooth cleaning goodness.

Via GizMag

Denver B Cycle - Pepsi Peddler

2010-06-07T14:32:00.000-07:00

Denver B Cycle is a great concept that is a contender for the big $250,000 grant from Pepsi's Refresh Everything campaign... and one of my personal favorites. One question- do the bikes come with water (or Pepsi) bottle holders?

Cool Panorama- Vornado Clip Fans On The Job

2010-05-21T11:42:00.001-07:00

Thanks to @caddymob for sharing this very cool pic of a trifecta of Vornado clip fans hanging out in the office!

Branded Vanity Plate for Vornado

2010-05-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

Do I dare call this a "Fanity Tag"?

A Few Good Creative Men - Youtube Video

2010-05-07T14:59:00.000-07:00

If you work in design or advertising, you shoulda oughtta see this...

Vornado - Now in Target Stores Nationwide

2010-04-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

Vornado is proud to release two classic American-built circulators - available exclusively in Target stores nationwide. The mighty 510 three-speed circulator moves air a full 65 feet. The larger 610 moves air 70 feet and features a powerful, yet quiet three speed motor. Both efficiently circulate all of the air in the room, and are backed by Vornado’s rock-solid 5 year warranty.

If you're a fan of Target- be sure to stop in and pick up one of these fans!

Vornado Fan Season Tip #3 - Ceiling fan or Vornado?

2010-04-26T10:30:00.000-07:00

Vornado is Your Number One Fan:
In rooms where a ceiling fan is present, you may consider using only your Vornado, as the downdraft of the ceiling fan may create enough of a disturbance in the room as to minimize or negate the unique Vortex Action airflow of the Vornado Air Circulator.

Vornado owners frequently report that the smooth, gentle airflow of a Vornado is more comfortable and effective that of a ceiling fan. Vornado officially recommends experimenting to determine your ideal preferencess- but I say ditch that dusty old, clicking and rattling, off-balance eysore of a fan and go with a Vornado circulator! In doing so, you'll restore your ceiling to its clean, unobstructed beauty AND you will have a more effective, more comfortable way to keep your cool this summer.

Vornado Fan Season Tip #2 - Refresh The Air In Your Home

2010-04-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

Moderate temperatures make Spring the ideal time to take advantage of open windows and doors to improve indoor quality. According to a report by the EPA , there is an increasing body of evidence that indoor air can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air , even in the largest and most industrialized cities. Cleaning chemicals, paint, fragrance dispensers, and even carpet are just a few of the culprits that elevate the contamination levels in your home. The report recommends the introduction of fresh, outdoor air into indoor spaces to reduce the presence of these pollutants.

By positioning your Vornado in front of an open door or window, with the airflow directed into the room, you can considerably increase the amount of fresh air that is flowing into your space. Your Vornado moves a high volume of air and this technique is an excellent way to refresh the often polluted indoor air with clean air from outside your home. The flat panel shape of the new Vornado 270 and Vornado 573 makes these products uniquely suited to this application as they may fit easily into doorways or windows.

It's Vornado Fan Season - Get The Most Out Of Your Vornado - Tip 1

2010-04-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

With spring in full bloom, it is officially Vornado fan season. Over the next few days, I'll offer up some tips on how to maximize the performance of your Vornado circulator.

Placement:
Unlike typical fans, your circulator is not intended to blow air directly at you- instead it circulates all of the air in the room. To get the maximum effect out of your Vornado, place it in a corner or perimeter location in the room, facing towards the opposite wall or corner. If possible, avoid large obstacles, such as furniture, that could interrupt the airstream.

Also, be sure that the rear of the Vornado is free from obstructions (curtains, furniture) that may block the air as it is pulled into the circulator. The signature Vortex Action airflow will travel across the room, and flow along the walls and ceilings – ensuring that the entire room is circulated. Because hot air rises, the coolest air is typically near the floor – so placing your Vornado on or near the floor is recommended to quickly establish a balanced room temperature.

Vintage Vornado Restoration - This one's cherry!

2010-04-22T09:45:00.000-07:00

I discovered this fantastic restored Vornado today - pic courtesy of Mike Shawley and the Antique Fan Collector's Association forum. Thank you, Mike, for sharing this beautiful restoration - and nice choice of color by the way!

I wish I knew how to achieve a finish like that.

So do my kitchen cabinets :(

Vornado On Flickr

2010-04-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Cats Love Zippi Fans

2010-04-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

If you contend that cats, in fact, do NOT love Zippi Fans by Vornado, I offer you the following evidence as my rebuttal. In this case curiosity did not kill the cat. It didn't even injure the cat.

Vornado Launches the 660 Circulator - Next Generation Circulation

2010-04-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

Vortex action gets some "vavoom" with the introduction of the 660 Circulator. This little number boasts a beautiful gloss grill and cowl, offset by matte finishes throughout the rest of the product. If bling is your thing, you have to see the chrome glide bar. Not just for looks - the chrome strap allows the product to tilt from full horizontal to vertical (90º) for effortless adjustments to the airflow.

Control Freak:
The 660 Circulator offers 4 speed controls, selectable via push-button controls located conveniently at the top of the unit. The speeds range from "whisper quiet" to batten down the hatches "turbo" speed. A subtle "beep" reaffirms your button pushing.

Napoleon With Dynamite:
The 660 is actually a bit smaller than Vornado's full size circulators like the 733 - but you wouldn't know it by the performance. Pound-for-pound this is the most powerful circ Vornado offers. It moves air 100 feet, at lower noise levels than ever before.

Under A Hundee:
With the high-style looks, chrome adjustment bar, pushbutton controls and crazy performance, you'd think the 660 would be one of our most expensive circulators. Fortunately, you'd be wrong- because you can own the 660 for $89.99.

Learn more about the 660 Circulator here.

Save Energy & Money This Summer With Vornado

2010-04-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

How A Vornado Creates Whole Room Circulation from Vornado on Vimeo.

A Vornado Air Circulator functions differently from other fans. While a typical fan only circulates the area directly in front of it, a Vornado circulates all of the air in the room using an airflow phenomenon called "Vortex Action"

Learn about how a Vornado works differently, and how it can save you big money this summer.

Reason #1 to Miss Being a Kid in the 80's - Garbage Pail Kids

2010-04-07T14:04:00.000-07:00

It seems like Garbage Pail Kids invariably come up when my friends are talking about memorable childhood toys. I vividly recall my introduction to them- I was at recess, and a friend called me over to a dark corner of the school yard as though he were orchestrating a drug deal. He brandished a pack of "Garbage Pail Kids" cards, and I my perception of what a "cartoon" should look like was forever changed. Never before had I seen such vividly disgusting depictions of - well- all kinds of things. (Dismemberment, decay, asphyxiation and various other pleasantries.) As an adolescent boy, of course, I thought it was "awesome."

It is counterintuitive to call products like these "innocent" - but they are a sign of more innocent times. As extreme as some of these images were, they seem almost mild in today's content-saturated world - where most of the actions described on the GPK cards can be seen demonstrated on YouTube by real, live morons.

The Brown Box Price Rocks - 733 @ $44.99

2010-04-06T13:24:00.001-07:00

The Brown Box Price Rocks- Full size 733's in Brown Boxes- $44.99 While Supplies Last.

The 733 Full Size Circulator features a 3 speed motor, multi-position base, removable grill, 5 year warranty, and Vornado's signature Vortex Action. Due to slightly damaged original boxes, these brand new circulators have been re-packed in brown boxes and will not be sold in stores. Available at the Vornado website for $44.99, the brown box really does rock.

I will warn you - these are moving very fast! We've already gone through about 1/4 of our inventory in the first few hours of this promo!

Transform A Vintage Vornado Into A Lamp

2010-03-30T12:51:00.001-07:00

I recently discovered another inspiring Vintage Vornado modification - this time via Flickr. This classic Vornado has been given a new life and a new purpose- and is a shining example of creative aftermarket Vornado modifications.

Ugh. I promised myself I wouldn't write that pun.

Regardless- check out the step-by-step process at CCCSTL's full project photo set. Thanks to CCCSTL for uploading this pic to our Flickr Vornado Fan Club. If you have a project- by all means - do tell!

Be sure to check out the entire photo series here.

Wow. Japanese TV Ad - This is What Nightmares Are Made Of

2010-03-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

I am going to attempt a play-by-play.

Boy comes home from a rough day of school- love just is not on his side.

A strangely proportioned, attention craving dog senses the heartache and leaps on this opportunity to cheer the boy up, hoping to further entrench himself as the creepy yet lovable family pet. His first tactic, pulled from the Van-Gogh playbook, is to brandish a severed ear.

Surprisingly, the severed ear doesn't resonate with the child. Further dismemberment is clearly in order. He severs his own head and replaces it with that of a doll. Because dolls aren't creepy at all either.

Still, it's no good. A series of nonsensical gyrations is all that comes to mind. The problem arose when he ran to the pizza store and grabbed several trays for his "pizza tray dance" - by taking his eye off the boy, he lost the boy's focus.

The boy has either discovered a new love, or has reunited with his former. Either way - the dog gets shafted.

A moment of forlorn contemplation is interrupted by the magical appearance of some kind of food product in his hand... er... paw.

This food product is just the thing to relieve him of his rejection because it is just sooooo tasty.

Either that, or he realized, as he gripped the first crispy chiplike product, that he has opposable thumbs - which is enough for any dog to get excited about.

Paradoxymoron

2010-03-01T10:52:00.001-08:00

Paradoxymoron
Originally uploaded by mariachi2006

Vornado Personal Heater Ad

2010-02-26T07:47:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to share the new ad for Vornado's VH101 Personal Vortex Heater. Let me know what you think!

Vornado's Personal Heater VH101 from Vornado on Vimeo.

Facebook - I Just Don't Understand It.

2010-02-25T11:05:00.000-08:00

It's Thursday, why not post a little dry humor.

Seriously though- are you a fan? Let us know by taking this super-quick survey.
Or hook up with Vornado on Facebook.

"Bad Credit" Car Infomercial Just Bad

2010-02-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

I ran across this little gem at businesspundit.com. Absolutely. Terrible.

What Is The Best Fan for An RV or Camper? Here's an idea!

2010-01-18T09:17:00.000-08:00

Mod #92 from the good people at modmyrv.com features the Vornado Under Cabinet Circulator installed in the slideout portion of an RV.

According to the post, a small yet powerful fan in an RV (particularly in a slideout) is quite a welcome feature.

"One area of an RV that suffers from inconsistent temperatures is the slideout. Most late model RVs have large slideouts and none that I am aware of have heater or A/C vents within them. The slide sits outside the RV box and can suffer from cold and heat soak. So this is where I want to circulate some air towards...

...The fan met all my expectations. I can sit in the dinette or sofa area and feel a nice breeze, not to strong and not too weak. With two speeds, the fan can be adjusted to your comfort level. Having the ability to rotate the fan is a nice feature in case you need to move air around in other directions." You can view the entire mod here, not to mention a wealth of other great ideas for customizing your RV.

This RV-Appropriate fan is available at Campingworld.com - one of many products that are perfectly suited to those that enjoy the RV lifestyle.

File the Under Cabinet Circulator as a possible solution for the following issues you may encounter in your RV or camper:

Circulate the Air in Your RV - The Undercabinet fan is a perfect way to alleviate the hot, stuffy temperatures often experienced during those summer nights. You can also use less power by turning the air conditioner up a few degrees, and still maintain a comfortable temperature.

Exhaust Cooking Smells - A well-positioned Vornado Undercabinet Fan is a great way to direct cooking odors out of your RV.

Discreet Circulation With No Footprint - Every RV owner knows that countertop space is at a premium. The V103 Undercabinet Circulator stores away discreetly and occupies zero countertop or floor space.

Amazing Home Theatre Setup.... I mean - Check Out that Fan!

2010-01-13T11:49:00.000-08:00

As I google image searched for new, exciting Vornado stuff, I came across this pic that was posted by "schroedk" in an AV enthusiast forum post. How can you not covet this... that Vornado is glorious!

Seriously though- this is quite the rig - not only would Avatar look pretty cool on this 110" screen- but he can surf the web too. The Velodyne subs would really rock your socks off.

I realized that the screen and speakers are so massive that it kind of takes things out of proportion- that appears to be a full size Vornado 733 Circulator - which isn't exactly small (when it's not being compared to a screen that even the Starlite Drive In would consider to be big.)

I have a suggestion for schroedk - pop in the Twister DVD and crank that Vornado up to high...

What is the Safest Space Heater?

2010-01-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

This very question was asked of me today on Twitter - a fellow Tweeter was looking for a recommendation for a heater to be used in her daughter's room. The mandate: The SAFEST heater we offer.

In actuality, this is a bit of a challenging question. Every Vornado heater is painstakingly designed to protect the owner like a mama bear defending her cubs. Here are a few examples of safety features that are standard on our heaters:

Tip Over Protection: Vornado heaters automatically shut off if they are tipped over - preventing carpet, flooring or any other surface from becoming dangerously hot. (Plus, a tipped over heater just makes your room look messy.)

Obstruction Protection: Growing up I heard stories of curtains or area rugs interfering with a space heater's operation, causing fires. This is a non-issue with Vornado heaters because they are designed to cut off all heat if the airflow somehow becomes obstructed.

It's a No Glow: My other childhood memory of heaters is that mesmerizing red glow of the coils, and the knowledge that getting close to that heater meant I was inches away from a burnt finger. Sorry to disappoint those who like the "red glow" but Vornado heating elements don't glow - because Vornado has figured out the exact balance of heat from the coils needed to warm the room - and guess what- it isn't "boiling lava hot" (thanks Jim Gaffigan for the reference. Hot Pockets!) Sure... the Vornado coils are hot, and I wouldn't try to go touching them - because you can't. They are completely shielded safely inside the product - so you'll just have to take my word for it.

Not a Hot Potato: Speaking of hot - the amazing thing about Vornado heaters is that the exterior casing does not get hot to the touch - even after hours - nay - days - at full operation. It comes back to striking that balance of heat output that allows a Vornado to heat the air in your room quickly and effectively, but not become a safety risk. If you're one of those people that thinks you need to feel a little pain to be getting "enough heat" - you're probably not a Vornado customer. We're all about keeping you comfortable, not toasting bread.

A Backup Backup Plan: In the instance all these other safety measures somehow fail to catch a potential issue with the heater's operation, yet another backup provision has been taken. A special fuse inside the Vornado detects any heat or operational irregularities, and will blow before anything get's dicey. If this fuse blows, unfortunately, the heater is heading to the warm little pearly gates of heater heaven. Rest assured that our 5 Year Warranty will make sure you'll enjoy a long life with any Vornado heater - because we completely replace any unit during that timeframe.

The Verdict: Back to the original question - which Vornado is the safest? The only criteria I could come up with to answer this was to look at the casing itself. With the TVH 500 the entire product is made of metal. I'm no science guru, but I believe metal doesn't burn. We know that every Vornado (metal or plastic) has everything short of airbags relative to safety features - but I suppose the metal construct of the TVH 500 makes it my pick. Thanks to @wichitacindy for the great question!

Fun With Fakebook - Dexter and Rita

2009-12-15T06:52:00.000-08:00

My coworker told me about a nifty little site for faking facebook conversations... considering that we share a borderline unhealthy addiction to Dexter, I found his first fake conversation to be quite amusing.

--SPOILER ALERT FOR DEXTER FANS THAT HAVEN'T SEEN THE LAST EPISODE--

Free Shipping, and Possibly Free Product Awaits you at Vornado.com

2009-12-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

Until the stroke of midnight on December 22nd - you will not pay one penny for shipping on any product at Vornado.com - this is my promise to you (that is, if you live in the United States and are cool with standard ground.)

In case you're feeling lucky - we're also randomly selecting 10 orders placed between 9:00 AM today and Midnight on December 22 - and those orders are going to be completely free. If you are one of the fortunate winners, we'll give you a call on the 23rd and alert you that you've got a few more dollars to spend on panicked last minute gift buying.

It's a heckuva time to grab a Vornado whole room heater - you'll save some money and, in case you haven't noticed. It's really, really cold outside.

Vornado Zippi Product Review

2009-12-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

Thanks rmak for sharing your thoughts on the Zippi... we'd tend to agree with your insights!

See all Housewares reviews at Expotv

Vornado Bumper Stickers - A few ideas

2009-11-05T07:43:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to create bumper stickers for Vornado since I came on board over a year ago... and a Digg post gave me the motivation I needed to throw a few together... Any favorites?

Energy Efficient Heaters - How A Vornado Pays For Itself In One Season

2009-10-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

Here's a few excerpts from our Winter Energy Savings page describing how energy efficient heaters can save you bucks.

Fact 1. Local Heat = Lower Heating Costs

“Be sure to turn the lights off when you leave the room!” We heard it from our parents, and we say it to our own children. It’s simple to understand that leaving the lights on in an unattended room wastes energy... but what about your heating? Many homes rely on a central heater that attempts to keep the whole house at one temperature. With a Vornado heater, you can heat only the rooms you are in to perfection and back off the heat for the rest of the home. Vornado’s powerful circulator propels heat throughout your space similar to how a central heater’s air duct delivers warmth to each room.

Fact 2. The Whole Room Difference

Heating the room you’re in can save you serious money- but any old heater won’t do it. Vornado’s Whole Room Heaters are engineered to heat entire rooms using effective air
circulation called “Vortex Action.” While all heaters create heat, ordinary heaters only heat the space immediately around them because they do not adequately move the heat throughout
the room. Vornado heaters feature powerful circulators that distribute the heat throughout the space. Upgrade from a “space” heater to a whole room heater and you’ll see what a difference Vornado Vortex Heating heating makes.

Fact 3. Smart Heat Control = Smart Energy Usage

Vornado heaters use “smart” control technology to regulate room temperature to precise levels. Heaters such as the VH2 and TVH500 use an on-board thermostat to tell the unit when to turn on and off based on user-selected temperature settings. The AVH2, DVTH, iControl and TVH600 go one step farther. Instead of cycling the system on and off, the system regulates the heat output and fan speed, keeping the space heated to a comfortable, even temperature. Smarter heat control equates to smarter use of energy and no other line of heaters offers the level of heating control that Vornado provides.

So How Much Can I Really Save?
Here- let me tell you... clue- it involves three digits.

Eating A Habanero Pepper - This Is Why You Shouldn't

2009-10-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

What does one do when one eats a habanero pepper, loathes milk, and suddenly realizes there's no water nearby? This is what one does.

The mastermind (or one of them) behind this phenomenally entertaining vid was @KathyPhanDesign who sent this our way via Vornado's Twitter Account. Many thanks to Kathy and the Direct Effect Team for sharing this with us.

Ingenuity - A Wheelchair Motorcycle Mashup

2009-09-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

Driving to lunch today I spotted a slightly unusual motorcycle ahead of me. At first I thought it was one of those WW2 era motorcycles with a sidecar- but upon closer inspection (and 20 MPH+ breaking of speed limits) I was able to see just why this motorcycle was different...

A big high five to this guy for letting nothing interfere with his love of riding!

Vornado Flippi Cameo On "The Office"

2009-09-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you've asked yourself, "How does Regional Manager Michael Scott maintain his steely executive composure, offering his employees the rock-solid leadership they need to operate in a focused, productive working environment?"

Or perhaps you haven't asked that. Regardless- it is safe to say that the midnight blue Vornado Flippi on his desk is keeping his office nicely circulated - perhaps even allowing his ficus tree to grow despite its sun-deprived location.

Despite Mr. Scott's often poor judgement - we are pleased to see he selected our desk fan to accompany his treasured "World's Best Boss" mug. So - for all you "Office" fans who are searching for an office fan - I'd offer this fan.

Want to be displayed in Vornado's Lobby? Crowdsourced Art!

2009-09-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

So, the prez has asked that I coordinate the handling of artwork in our newly remodeled lobby at our Andover, KS headquarters. I've engaged all our Vornado marketing and design folks and the options have unfolded in many directions...

After much deliberation- here is a mockup of the direction we want to go.

Crowdsourced Art

It's just a mockup- but what we really want to do is to use actual photos from our consumers.

These I just grabbed off Twitter and Flickr (and yes, iStockPhoto for filler, thanks for noticing.)

It's wide open- it could be a Vornado product- or it could be a picture that communicates how a Vornado product makes you feel. Or what it reminds you of. Could be kids... pets... people... or clear blue sky - it doesn't matter - as long as it comes from you and you can let us know the story behind it. Doesn't matter if you're a professional or not- we want it all!

So- if you want your photo displayed proudly at Vornado HQ - send it my way! You can tweet it to me at my Twitter account, post it on our Flickr Group, or email it to me (bcartwright(at)vornado(dot)com).

If we use your pic- I'll send something to show you our appreciation. Just try to shoot it at a decently high resolution if possible.

Read on to see a few of the "other" ideas that were generated...

What about "Abstract Corporate"

Could play with our company history - plus open it up for some modern layering of type and image. Lots of opportunity for texture and color. Not too stuffy. Maybe a little much though considering the rest of the decor.

Could go "moody" and product based...

Ooh- Shiny product, slick deep images. Branding is there.But it takes itself so seriously. And, as a company- we're committed to making beautifully functional products- but there's more to us than that... plus it's reminiscent of the much hated "Inspiration - (Insert man with extended arms looking out over canyon at sunset photo) Corporate Art"

Then, of course there are just product shots.
Or Textural tightly cropped close ups of products.
Or do we focus on the people?
The consumer?
The employees?

I could blog for days on the many directions. I want to see what you all have in mind!

Thanks to all for your interest!

Birds On Wires - Transposed to Music

2009-09-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

Birds on the Wires from Jarbas Agnelli on Vimeo.

The Most Baddest Record Player Ever - Clairtone

2009-09-02T14:41:00.001-07:00

I just found a buyer for my Sylvania console record player (not the one above) today via Craigslist. *Sigh* I hate to let her go but I just don't have enough room in my house to dedicate a whole wall to a record player. At least I'll still be able to enjoy the tone of vinyl via a component turntable... And at least I now have a pie-in-the-sky dream for another console system that I can love even more than my trusty Sylvania. The Clairtone G2. Endorsed by Sinatra and coveted for over 40 years by lovers of mid-century modern design- this is hands down the coolest record player out there.

A little reading last night uncovered some very interesting sites dedicated to this icon of design. Namely:
A full G2 Restoration project
Great shots of a Clairtone Manual
The Art of Clairtone Book
And perhaps my favorite - a site built by designexchange.ca dedicated to the subject.

Working in a business like Vornado - where both product design and performance must exceed the status quo - Clairtone is an inspiration.

Personal Heater By Vornado - Meet The Newest Vornado Heater

2009-08-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever - Vornado is taking heaters personally- literally.

Dubbed the "VH101" - This little heater represents the first time Vornado has taken it's signature Vortex "Whole Room" heater design, and downsized it for personal use.

Boasting deep pitch blades and the Vornado AirTensity grill- the Personal Heater circulates air around your personal space in similar fashion to how Vornado Whole Room heaters distribute heat throughout an entire room.

The personal heater is Vornado's response to frequent consumer requests for a pint sized winter performer. Standing only 7" tall, the Vornado VH101 Personal Heater fits nearly anywhere- perfect for use in the office. Sleek styling makes it a welcome addition to any desktop or bedside table.

The VH101 features 2 heat settings- high cranks out 750 Watts, and 375 on low - giving you control of your heat and allowing you to avoid annoying circuit overloads.

The VH101 Personal Heater is now available on Vornado's website.

Why Vornado Is Basically The Vampire Of Fans

2009-08-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

Now that a co-worker has hooked me on True Blood, I couldn't help but point out some of the striking similarities between a Vornado and a Vampire... à la True Blood.

Most often seen wearing black.
They just about live forever.
Much more powerful than you'd first expect.
They both begin with V (obvious.)
Specialize in sucking (air - that is.)
Can be creepily quiet despite being in the same room as you.
As a 68 year old brand, our age allows us more power and authority than our younger counterparts.
Many consider them to be very useful at night in the bedroom.
Finally- in order for one to enter your home, you must first invite it. (Go'head - Invite one into your home.)

Any other ideas?

These Guys Love Woot... And Vornado. And Mighty Kites.

2009-08-20T11:21:00.001-07:00

Imagine how much these guys saved by Wooting all of these items. Clearly the mighty kite wins out in terms of overall utility. I mean - who does't want to fly a tiny kite on occasion.

Cats Love Zippi The Fan

2009-08-20T11:16:00.000-07:00

You don't believe me? I will prove it. Twice. If you wish to get your cat one, here is a link to our Zippi. Even if you don't have a cat, it is a wonderful desktop fan.

Designing Fonts With Cars

2009-08-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

My new inspiration - digital kitchen's blog. I would never have dreamed they would go to these measures to capture the font in such an accurate way... but I am glad they did.

iQ font - When driving becomes writing / Full making of from wireless on Vimeo.

Dented Box Deals - The 530L & 630B For Cheap

2009-07-28T15:46:00.000-07:00

There's a little promo going on that has something to do with "Bent Boxes" - here's how this works:

1. We have product that is brand new, in bright shiny new boxes.

2. Sometimes those boxes get smudged, smeared, scarred, stickered, scratched, scored or scuffed.

3. Our retail partners no likey scuffed boxes. We get those back, or never ship them in the first place.

4. We are borderline OCD about not sending scuffed boxes to ANY customer (yes, even website customers) so we ultimately repack the beautiful, unharmed little Vornados into new boxes.

5. We thought, "Hey- instead of spending the time and money on repacking these, let's discount them a tad!" Then we reconsidered... "How about more than a tad?

Hence the $15.00 discount on the 530L and the $20 discount on the 630B.

Did I mention free shipping? No?
Well, there's free shipping too- so chalk up another $6-$15 in savings depending.

It's a screaming deal if you're ok with a little doohickey, damage, ding, or defect on THE BOX that your product arrives in. Need I restate that the product inside is in perfect shape, complete with the usual Vornado warranty?

This one's scheduled to end August 31st - so don't think too terribly long about it.

Silly Good Deal On The 735 Premium Circulator

2009-06-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

So, you've thought about getting a Vornado before. You've kicked the tires a bit - but it's a decent amount of coin for a fan. Cease the tire-kicking, here's the deal for you. There's two parts to this one...

1. The 735 is priced at $59.99, or buy two for $99.99... that's up to half off the usual $99.99 price for one of these puppies. My point- you can get one of our best fans (it's a "Premium Series" which means you get 5 speed controls, a nifty grayish color, and a fancy spun aluminum logo) for a big discount. But wait... there's more...

2. We're running a "Risk Free" offer on ALL our premium circulators. That means that if you buy one on the Vornado website, we ship it for free to you. You then have 30 days to use it in your home. Use it day and night for a month... and if you aren't happy with it for ANY REASON, we'll arrange to have it shipped back to us at our expense. Once we get the product back- we refund your card and you're out absolutely nada. All the details of this offer are available here.

Vornado's best fans, one of which is up to half off, and our promise to give you your money back if you don't like it. It's hot outside, your electric bills are about to crank up, and you need a good fan to keep your cool. Now's the time, friends!

What Makes A Vornado Better? Different?

2009-05-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

Common Questions Part 2: If A Vornado Is So Different, Why Do The Competitors Look So Similar?

At first glance, one might expect the two products above are related fairly closely... perhaps even from the same manufacturer, just different models. After all, look at the design cues and colors. Even the grill is the same. What could POSSIBLY make these two fans different, aside from the fact that the Vornado costs more? For the other guys, that beauty truly is only skin deep. While they imitate the look, and even the words Vornado has used on its packaging for years, they neglect what actually makes the product work. Vornado Fans are uniquely engineered to generate the performance our consumers enjoy. Here's what we mean...

What about the spiral grill - don't they both have that? Actually - each "vein" of a Vornado grill is angled to maximize its ability to shape the airflow. Think of it like an airplane wing. A little angle is the difference between function and fashion.

I'll hand it to them...the "other" low cost fan companies have done a wonderful, if not unabashed job of imitating the design cues of a Vornado. Our recommendation... try to make the products perform like a Vornado. Imitate the longevity and power of a Vornado motor, and the more durable plastics that go into its construction. Try to imitate the engineering too. You'll discover that every model features uniquely sized components - because even the slightest change in size or application requires comprehensive re-engineering in order to retain its powerful yet quiet operation. It's a challenge we're happy to make, because once a competitor would try to imitate the factors that transcend the visuals, they can blow a goodbye kiss to their "low price" position. The problem is, they won't be able to blow it very far.

Vornado's Own "West Coast Choppers" Shop

2009-05-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

Ran across this pic of a tricked out Vornado fan today via Hudson Custom Machining
These guys turn electric fans into eclectic fans like nobody's business.

In their own words... "This is a 1952 Vornado fan that I restored in March of 2005. I used a metalflake Amethyst base coat / clear coat automotive paint. $150 a pint including all of the hardener, accelerator, and other stuff that you have to mix together to make this thing scream "Look at Me! I am hot!"

From Vornado to Darryl and crew... nice work! Keep us posted on future Vornado overhauls!

Wolf T-Shirt Amazon Reviews

2009-05-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

This is simply magical. I never would have imagined how hilarious Amazon product reviews could be until I was introduced to this shirt...
What follows is a link to a plethora of product reviews that are so consistent in tone and message that I simply must applaud each and every contributor. Individually, they have created a collective masterpiece. Visit the Wolf Tshirt Reviews Page.

Fan For Greenhouse - Good Circulation: Your Plants Understand The Difference.

2009-05-14T10:08:00.000-07:00

Vornado Found Effective For Plant Health In Japanese Greenhouses

Sometimes Vornado's pop up in the most unexpected places. As a marketing guy, I spend lots of time thinking about applications for the product - and this one is compelling. The following summarizes some research done by Yamamoto Agricultrual Corporation.

I have pulled some images right out of a Powerpoint show (that was shared with one of our overseas sales people.) I can't make this stuff up. Literally. No green thumbs on these hands. Last summer I "nuked" all the plants in my yard by applying grass weed preventer too close to the beds. The "arrows in greenhouse" image looks vaguely familiar. Whole Greenhouse Circulation, eh? Nice! We talk alot about Vortex Action. The plants seem to be listening.

I used babelfish to translate- and for the most part it looks like the photo captions describe the owner, and where his greenhouse is located. They also seem to indicate that he is growing sage.

Incidentally, this is basically the exact same fan as our 710 circulator. Did I mention it is on sale for a mere fifty bucks!?

If I new how to plant my way out of a paper bag, I would tell you specifically what the results mean. But, people that ACTUALLY DO know tell me that the results are good.

Vornado fans are perferct for greenhouses. How do I know this?

Because plants don't lie.

Dorito's Super Bowl Ad - Guessed I Missed This During The Game

2009-05-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

I have watched this ad about 5 times now. Perhaps you saw it during the Super Bowl, but I must have been in the kitchen getting some chips... or beer. In case you missed it too:

Vornado Times Square Advertising

2009-05-01T11:47:00.001-07:00

Here's what I am thinking for next round ads up in Times Square. What say ye?

710's Up For Adoption - End The Injustices That Have Befallen These Poor Circulators

2009-05-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

IT'S ABSOLUTE MAYhem! We might as well be spring chickens because we're selling em' CHEAP CHEAP! We've been told to slash prices and liquidate inventory!

Ok, Now that I got the "Car Dealer Radio Advertising" lines out of my system, let's tone it down a bit. Here's the scoop on why these 710's are $49.99... nearly half off original pricing.

Despite their stellar performance as a circulator, and general popularity at retail, we "retired" the trusty 710 over 2 years ago. Why did we put this good working horse down? What major event triggered the end of the 710's illustrious career? A new base. Yes, the 710 is a "dinosaur" because of it's base. See below how we updated the design of our 700 series bases.

It's still touting all of the features that create Vortex Action. It still circulates ALL OF THE AIR in the room, even if the room is a small gymnasium. It features the same "head" size as all of our other 700 series products. Same number of speed settings as the 723. It was even assembled right here in the States.

You see, there were some left over after they were banished to the fan retirement home. They have never even been out of the box. Never even seen the sun.

I know- it's terrible for us to persecute these 710's on account of their stands... but you can benefit from this injustice. Save these stranded, neglected 710's. Adopt one today. They will serve you well for decades. We promise.

Beautiful Chalk Animation - Firekites Video

2009-04-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

Taking a quick moment to post up a mesmerizing and beautiful video created completely from photographs of chalk board illustrations. From a personal standpoint, it's refreshing to see something so wonderfully "low fi" when so much content today is the same pixedigitech forumula.

Firekites - AUTUMN STORY - chalk animation from Lucinda Schreiber on Vimeo.

Is A Vornado Worth The Extra Money?

2009-04-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

Many have asked, "Why is A Vornado So Expensive?" "Is A Vornado Really Worth The Extra Money?" Absolutely. Here's why. When you purchase a Vornado, you are buying a product that will last for years- decades even. It is designed and engineered in Andover, KS with years of research supporting its design. In terms of function, a Vornado is demonstratably superior to any other product on the market. The stellar performance stems from a huge investment by Vornado in the engineering and design phase of each product. The result of the engineering is evident in 4 key elements that go into every Vornado circulator. I'll detail these four elements in a future post- or you can see a little narrative about them here. For the money you spend, you will receive a product that works better and lasts longer. You will receive better customer service than can be provided by any other would-be competitor.

When we say our products work better, we are talking about "vortex action." Vornado’s signature Vortex Action circulates all the air in the room – meaning it makes a much bigger difference in the overall comfort of the room than other fans can- fans which are designed to only move the air immediately in front of them. To learn more about how vortex action works, click here.

You Ask. We Answer. The Big Questions People Ask About Vornado

2009-04-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

There are some questions that arise frequently when it comes to Vornado product. I'll dedicate the next few posts to answering these questions. Here goes.... more to come.

Vornado Takes On Times Square

2009-04-09T08:55:00.000-07:00

If you happen to be in Times Square in the next three months- order yourself an ice cream at Cold Stone, and look up. Vornado adverts will be visible on the CBS jumbotron for 15 seconds every hour for 18 hours all the way through June. That translates to 1,638 spots- glowing in full LED goodness throughout the NYC square.

Three different ads will run- one per month- and each features messaging you may not expect from a historic brand headquartered in Andover, KS.

April's Installment is posted above...

Each ad to follow will feature a similarly "in your face" approach that challenges the viewer's expectations of how a "fan company" is supposed to look and act.

The campaign is evidence of a new direction for Vornado - a brand that has been selling premium fans beginning in 1945.

Vornado's advertising has typically been oriented around its products' superior performance, design, and quality. In this regard, nothing has changed.

The difference today is a marketing approach with a focus on nontraditional messaging in equally nontraditional venues. The marketing approach actually mirrors Vornado's product design and engineering processes. 'How?' you ask? Both are defined by a consumer-centric approach that challenges convention, identifies with the consumer's thoughts and needs, and demands innovation.

What do you think?

Afternoon Sun in the Bedroom

2009-03-31T15:29:00.001-07:00

Afternoon Sun in the Bedroom
Originally uploaded by lucyandorla

Ran across this picture as I was doing some browsing on Flickr.
I.
Love.
That.
Chair.

To satisfy my craving for Captain Chairy Goodness, I managed to score a Doerner chair- a knockoff (kind of like a plycraft- but a bit different) that is about 10% smaller than the real deal.

One of these days...

Anyway- I digress. I certainly enjoy the fact that our Vornado Silver Swan is in good company...

Thanks lucyandoria for posting!

Housewares - Chicago - 2009

2009-03-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

And so it begins...
My first big trade show of my Vornado career. I should just say it's my first BIG trade show appearance. I have been to trade shows- mind you, but this one is probably the coup de grace by my standards.

Let's first talk about my standards.

In a previous life, I was with a small design studio. We designed trade show booths, but we never actually attended these shows. We would design booths, handouts, multimedia presentations, but never actually got to see the fruits of our labor. We relied on the second hand testimonials which generally consisted sounded like this: Me: "How did the show go?" Them: "Went well. Really really well." Me: "Well?" Them:"Very well." Me: "Well then... great news."

Not exactly constructive criticism. Not exactly constructive at all. I guess I am just glad it went "well."

Next trade show experience was in Chicago - on Navy Pier - an appropriate venue considering it was a fresh seafood importer's trade show. This was an enjoyable one. I probably spent all of 3 hours tending shop, and the rest of the time was spent sampling fresh seafood. "Fresh seafood" is a term that is often used loosely- but this was the best product each company had to offer. I can't officially vouche for how fresh it was- but it tasted good. Really. Really. Good.

Third trade show was with another previous life with an alternative energy company. It was the energy from biomass and waste expo. Hmmm. Energy from biomass and waste - not as immediately appealing as freshly caught seafood... but I learned alot from this one. I attended this one 2 years ago, and considering that the biomass to energy market is still clawing for attention amidst solar, wind and geothermal energy, it was a chance to see an emerging market in its infancy. Our booth was a perfect square- probably 10 x 10, or 15 x 15 or something to that effect. The company I was with was still spanking new- so we had lean budgets to work with. It was a decent show. We had alot of interest - but the whole industry suffered (or suffers still) from "tire kickers"- people willing to waste huge amounts of your time who actually only have a passing interest in what you have to offer. I think we met at least 150 tire kickers that day, as it we would later discover. What can I say. It went "well."

Back to Housewares. I'm back in Chicago (woot). I am with a kick a** company (woot) and my trade show booth boasts at least one dimension that has 3 digits in terms of linear feet. I have a tower display whose footprint dwarfs my other trade show booths. I have a great sales team to do the talking. Hell, I even have a 3D display (more on that later.) It's all good- but what's really got me excited is not the size of the booth- but the content. We have some great stories to tell. We have some new products that are fantastic. Best of all, I have a wonderful, storied, historical brand that actually still focuses on performance, quality and consumer service.

So, I will report back soon on Housewares 2009. I will be taking pictures- but I understand they are pretty chincy about cameras on the show floor. I may be relying on my trusty iPhone camera + twitterific to post updates to Vornado's Twitter page. Follow along. Ask questions. It's first for me - so join in!

I'm On A Boat

2009-03-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

I recently came across this review on Amazon for the Vornado VH2 Heater being used on yachts... and having watched "I'm On A Boat" about a dozen times, I couldn't resist.

Side note - "I'm On A Boat" is hilarious, but rather explicit- so consider it "NSFW" - and keep the kiddos from hearing it... earmuffs.

" Vornado Heaters in Yachts, February 10, 2009

Being a yacht captain, we need heat in various areas of the boat such as in engine rooms and bilge compartments. This heater will turn off if it falls over. Air circulation is critical to prevent mildew and condensation. The heater air flow design is perfect. I have about 12 of these heaters on other yachts I take care of. Also, the Vornado fans are on the yachts as well."

- David Ellard

Source: Amazon.com

Flickr Pick - By ...George

2009-02-26T15:03:00.000-08:00

We recently set up the Vornado Fan Club Group on Flickr. The photos so far range from "impromptu snapshot" to "elegantly artistic." This one really caught my eye today...

It was submitted by ...george whose photostream is full of some amazing work. We're glad a Vornado 630 made a cameo in this particular shot.

Maybe I love it because it is somewhere delightfully in between "snapshot" and "elegance."

Thanks for posting this one, George, and we'd be honored if any more Vornado fans made it in front of your lens in the future. Keep us posted.

Free Flippi - VERY Limited Time Offer

2009-02-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

I've been talking with you for months now. Isn't it time we met? I want to know what my social network looks like. This is a little three day experiment...

Send me a pic of you interacting with your Vornado. Hugging, holding, juggling, having a staring contest- whatever... and I'll send you a free Flippi V6. Here's the catch. I have to receive the photo by midnight, Friday Feb. 20th - that's this Friday. After that, no mo' free Flippi's!

Use my Twitter account and tell me how to get to your pic.
Post it to my Flickr Group, and let me know via DM.

Get creative- I've got plenty of pics of product sitting on floors and desks- trust me. This is as much about you as it is about the product. If you want to do some creative cropping, that's cool- I have no problem with anonymity.

I don't have too many rules or stipulations- if you have questions, DM me on Twitter. The main thing- be creative!

I'll try to anticipate a few questions:

Yes, it has to be a Vornado fan in the pic- none of those imitators!
No, your face doesn't need to be in the shot if you're bashful.
Yes, your pet can stand in for you. I'll just need to know his/her name.
Yes, the offer is limited to one per photo submitter.
If someone goes above and beyond, I reserve the right to send something else free to reward the effort.
I can't guarantee you a certain color. Send me your preference, and I'll see what I can do.

You will need to DM me your address, or we can exchange emails- but I'll need to know where to ship the flip. Post other questions in the comments area and I'll get em' answered!

UPDATE:
I picked a few favorites from our submissions to date:

Lainey seems to prefer the VH2 Heater over the Vintage Fan or the Midsize 630.

Thanks to @loganculwell

This pic just rocks. I enjoy the fact that the VH2 can assist in the creative process!

Thanks @irDominic keep up the good work!

Fight the urge to make an Easter joke. Fight it!
Bob Jr. seems simultaneously appreciative and terrified of his heat source. They make a good pair, in my humble opinion. Tiny wooden rabbit bed FTW!

Many thanks @mistahmoogle

You and all the others will be seeing a Flippi at your door very soon. You still have till midnight tonight to send me those pics!

We Want To Hear Your Opinion

2009-02-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

I have long hoped that, one day, I would get a phone call or email asking me for my input on a product. Any product. I don't care if its a pair of scissors or a lawnmower- give me a look at it, and I can give you more feedback than you probably wanted to hear. My call hasn't come yet, but consider this your invitation.

We'd like to hear what you think. Please take 3 minutes to look at these two product options and answer a few quick questions. We also invite you to give us some commentary on what you see.

When you finish the survey, we'll get you a special offer on a product that should help you finish out the winter in style...

From our standpoint, 3 minutes of your time can help us create products that you will enjoy for a lifetime. Our customers are an amazing group- we value your input- so g'won - take a look!

Vornado Twitter Background

2009-01-15T14:42:00.001-08:00

Vornado Twitter Background
Originally uploaded by vornadofan

I am more than a little addicted to Twitter, so it's no surprise that we've created a background or six for our page. If your happen to love Twitter, and Vornado, then show us a little love and load this background onto your page! If you do, let us know. There just might be something reeeeel speshal in it for you!

Case Study: Vornado on Twitter

2009-01-08T14:40:00.000-08:00

January 8th, 2008

Originally Posted by Jonathan Kash at Pistachioconsulting.com

Anyone who has been to college, bought a house, or has a spouse that likes to keep the house cold knows about Vornado. Twitter certainly has its service providers, but manufacturers are also represented. One of the most successful organization’s is Dell, who maintain a host of accounts for what seems to be all customer segments.

In Their Own Words

“Famous for fans. Hellbent on the best heaters. Air Purifiers and Humidifiers too. How can we help you?”

How is Vornado using Twitter?

What a bio; being hellbent on heaters certainly shows passion for the brand. I had an opportunity to speak with Brian Cartwright of Vornado to find how Twitter falls into their business.

JK: When and how did the company first learn about Twitter?
BC: I first heard of it via a digg.com post probably about a year ago. At the time, I thought, “Sounds high maintenance.” I was doing web development at for a wide range of clients, but didn’t bring it up to any of them. Now that I am with Vornado full time, and considering Twitter’s explosive growth, I realized it was time to open Pandora’s box. Vornado as a brand is fortunate to have a very loyal following. I’d like to think we can find, centralize and maybe even expand that following via sites like Twitter.

JK: How are you using Twitter today?
BC: Our use of Twitter today is at best informal and is evolving. We’re still learning. To date we have conducted impromptu surveys of people who are either complaining about or complimenting of their heater’s (any heater, not just Vornado) performance on a cold day. We’ve posted some Vornado-centric content and plenty of content that has nothing to do with the company. My vision for the page is keep the personal side of the company just as visible as the product side. We want to make it easy for our customers to find us, wherever they may look. We want to ensure that their experience with us is completely positive at every touchpoint.

JK: Who was the first person in the company to “get it”? How many levels removed from the CEO was s/he?
BC: Fortunately, our President “gets it” - not only does he get it, he consistently challenges the branding department to keep pushing. There were plenty of confused looks coming from mid-tier folks around here – but fortunately, the prez is already on board and very, very excited about what we’re doing. He has a keen understanding of the potential of web branding, and it’s a big part of why I’m now at Vornado full time- a position was essentially created for this (and other strategic branding activities.)

JK: Did management finally decide to use Twitter in an official way? If yes, what convinced them it was worth looking into? (Was there a story, event, or incident that became the “A-ha” moment?)
BC: Vornado’s process isn’t as bureaucratic as one might think. The management’s philosophy has been to bring in knowledgeable people who are good at what they do - and then give them the room to do it. Our branding department decided that we wanted to create an “official” presence on Twitter, so we did. Within a week or two of us flipping on the twitter switch, we saw that a local news correspondent @anitacochran did a story on Twitter. I sent the link to her story to the key people out here - and I think if there were any doubts whether this was something “real”, the news segment helped dispel those doubts.

JK: In what way did HR, PR, or Legal weigh in on the decision to use Twitter?
BC: Not at all. I had better keep it clean and make sure legal stays out of it too… (just kidding)
(JK: I’ve worked with lawyers for years; this is close to the truth!)

JK: How does Twitter fit into your Corporate Communications, Marketing, and/or Customer Service strategies (if at all)?
BC: I envision it playing a big role in all of the above. We will make new product announcements to our Twitter group, we’ll offer unique pricing. If we are able to amass a good size group of folks that own, or are interested in our products, then we’ll absolutely utilize it as a customer service corridor. We’ll respond based on the needs of the following we attract.

JK: How has Twitter influenced the work of project teams or any collaborative effort within the company?
BC: We are beginning to consider how Twitter might impact our product launch strategies, ongoing consumer education and special pricing promotions.

JK: How do you intend to measure Twitter’s impact on your business? What kind of impact would Twitter have to have before its use is considered a “success” by the enterprise?
BC: Personally, I will gauge our Twitter success on our number of followers. We’re still in the double digits now- so we have a long way to go. We aren’t looking to twitter to be a marketing initiative with tangible R.O.I. - it is a branding initiative. Any marketing benefits that may be derived are peripheral. We’ll also be watching how many folks visit our website based on our “tweets”.

JK: Did you perceive a need for outside consulting to help decide how social media in general and Twitter in particular would be used?
BC: Yes. I’ll be the first to admit that I know “enough to be dangerous” but I certainly don’t know it all. Plus, I know that I never will. Social networking, online branding - these are all my department’s responsibilities, but I can’t focus on them exclusively. We will use experts to help us refine our execution, but a priority for us is that Vornado “keeps it personal” - we want to retain a personal touch with all twittering, blogging, digging, flickr group activity, etc.

JK: Any lessons learned along the way? What advice would you give other companies that are thinking of using Twitter or something similar?
BC: I feel like we’re still too new at this to have much sage-like advice- but my main thought would be to make sure you don’t just start blasting out links to every product you sell, or every service you offer. People are quick, and well advised, to ignore these companies. You need to respect their screen, and their intelligence.

From this interview, we see a few takeaways:

Support from senior management is critical. Not only does this make planning & budgeting easier, but it makes the work fun.

Social initiatives must be given room to succeed. Keep policies out of the mix and develop an atmosphere of trust and responsibility.

Look for the squeeky wheel! Vornado is engaging with people, regardless of the brand.

Funniest Product Review You'll Read In The Next 5 Minutes

2008-12-18T15:00:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we here at Vornado try to keep up with what customers are saying about our products. The TVH500 got lots of good reviews- but this review from Amazon.com quite possibly takes home the gold. I must say, it is in honor of Jasmine that I have changed the background image on our Twitter page. Amanda931, if you're out there, please send us a pic of Jasmine. Maybe we can get you a new space heater for your efforts.

Read on...

Jasmine the kitten makes this worthless to me,

January 31, 2008

By: Amanda Peck "amanda931" (Waynesboro) - See all my reviews

I like Vornado heaters a lot. They give out moderately cool air, so you sit around and think "it's not working, it's not working" until you suddenly realize the room is warm. And unlike the imitations, the heat is not as stratified--particularly if you have it set so the fan is always on.

I thought this one might be sturdier than the smaller ones (it might well be) and that the remote would be wonderful.

But...

The top is a perfect place for a kitten to rest, especially when it's heating. And if she wriggles a bit, she presses buttons, any buttons--but particularly mode and temperature. So the remote becomes useless. If I don't know what mode it was in, I can't change it to high heat with the remote (and I certainly haven't gotten used to which way is "up" temperature on the remote).

While I've been writing this she's managed to turn it off completely once, and another time beep the thermostat down below what the fan thinks is the room air temperature (it's at least 3 degrees too high in my space).

I could take it down to a small work-room in the barn, but there's a problem there, too. One that I suspect that Vornado did deliberately, so this would be perfect for supplementary heating in a coolish room. The lowest setting on the thermostat is 65. Way too high to use as an anti-freeze setting when the room is unoccupied.

Jasmine is a really cute and sweet kitten.

Vornado Table Fan Fan - Part Two

2008-12-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

"The Turnabout"

Another great group of pics of an antique Vornado table fan, this one is from the folks at vintagefan.com

Quoting the site:
"

1950-54c. The O.A. Sutton Corporation, Wichita, KS., U.S.A. Vornado Turnabout Table Fan

"Meet George Jetson" , the Vornado Turnabout Table Fan seems to shout with its Space Age design. The "rocket ship" turnabout model is one of our favorites because its styling represents its era so well. While the cool styling abounds, this atomic age fan moves air like it's rocket powered.

The exclusive Vornado ducted design allows all of the air from the blade vortex to funnel out the front. When used in the upright position, the vortex is directed by a cone to push out around the edge of table.

The Vornado Turnabout table fan is functional piece of furniture and it is especially suited to an enclosed porch or interior space that represents the 40s, 50s, or early 60s design"

There is a wealth of interesting info for fans of fans at vintagefans.com - definitely worth a look.

Some Classic Vornado Design - Vornado Fan Table

2008-12-15T07:09:00.000-08:00

Vintage 1950's Era Vornado Table Fan

A big thanks to sharpknees for posting up some pics of his 28F Vornado Fan Table. A little bit Jetsons, a little bit Eames- this is a classic with a unique and functional application of Vornado's Whole Room Circulation. Another "thank you" to fan guru ZacharyDY4's enthusiasm and knowledge on seemingly every fan out there, including Vornado!

Vornado still manufactures a vintage style fan that features the classic design cues of 1940's and 1950's era Vornados. If you have a Vornado Fan or Heater that you would like to show the world, join our Vornado Fan Club group on Flickr, and show us what you've got!

Ultrasonic Humidifier

2008-12-12T09:28:00.000-08:00

We just finished up an informational video on our new Ultrasonic Humidifier There are so many ultrasonics on the market, but they share one common problem- the mist just "poofs" out of the system, and much of it ends up on your carpet or flooring. Vornado, with about 50 years of fan design under its belt, solves this problem. The video tells you the rest!

Ok. It's here.

2008-12-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

After being chastised by a fellow Twitterer for our presence on Twitter, sans independent blog - here it is; The Official Vornado Blog. Not to sound un-enthusiastic - I've been wanting to set up one of these for awhile. It just took some good old fashioned mockery and harsh criticism from a social networking junkie to make it happen.

It's been busy - we've published a new Vornado website and introduced a ton of new energy efficient space heaters and some cool new humidifiers - just in time for crispy winter air.

Until next time...
V