17 Facts About David Oreck

David Irving Oreck was an American entrepreneur, business salesman, and speaker.

David Oreck founded Oreck Corporation, manufacturers of vacuum cleaners and air purifiers, and was known for his appearances in its television commercials.

Shortly after Pearl Harbor was attacked, David Oreck joined the United States Army Air Corps and served as pilot, navigator, and bombardier in the Pacific Theater for over two years.

David Oreck participated in bombing missions over Japan in B-29s.

David Oreck helped to market washing machines, microwave ovens and televisions.

Whilst employed by RCA, David Oreck ran his own aircraft charter service, frequently stepping in as pilot.

David Oreck established businesses providing shared television aerials for apartment buildings in New York City, and teaching radio and television repair in Spanish by direct mail.

David Oreck was asked to take over a failing RCA distributor in New Orleans.

David Oreck's 8 pounds appliance was a third the weight of other machines available.

David Oreck decided to first market to hotels where light weight would be a selling point.

Over 50,000 hotels worldwide adopted the US manufactured vacuum cleaner, that was light enough to carry between floors, and domestic customers went on to purchase them, often through the floor care stores David Oreck established across the country.

David Oreck explained, he had "a good idea, a lot of energy, and no money" but "it took 20 years of hard work to begin to succeed".

The David Oreck family sold their vacuum cleaner business to private equity investors in 2003, initially American Securities Capital Partners.

David Oreck remained active in aviation, maintaining and flying his personal collection of aircraft, which included a Stinson Reliant SR 10J, a Waco WMF, an Aviat Husky Amphibian, an American Champion Decathlon, a Beechcraft Staggerwing G-17S, and a Beech T-34A Mentor.

David Oreck spoke at universities around the US, seeking to inspire young entrepreneurs and businesspeople.

David Oreck died of natural causes on February 15,2023, at his home in Mississippi.

David Oreck made significant contributions to the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans.