There seems to be two theories on this as James (Mr Vacuum Cleaner) points out.
1. Customers suggested it to the company
2. "The name and the face were both Duncan's ideas, put there (in his charming account) because the lonely cleaning armies of the early morning and late night liked to use an object they could address as a friend." As we suggested here.
It was probably just a good idea someone at Numark had and someone internally just made some face stickers. We don't know who actually designed the eyes and the smile, and maybe we never will.
Erratum: "Numark" is "Numatic", yes?
Posted by: Joshua | Jan 10, 2011 at 17:12
Nice to hear it straight from Mr Vacuum Cleaner, but sad that we'll never know the full story.
You can buy mini Henry the Hoovers for hoovering your desk. Someone I know bought one as a present for one of their children and it was the big hit of Christmas.
Posted by: Nick Asbury | Jan 10, 2011 at 17:19
You can also buy a Hettie the Hoover. She / It's pink.
Posted by: Adrian | Jan 13, 2011 at 14:16