<P> In 1941, Rexair merged with the Martin - Parry Corporation of Toledo, Ohio, providing Rexair with expanded manufacturing capabilities . During the war, Rexair and Martin - Parry produced radar cases, rocket launchers and ship partitions and linings to aid the war effort . </P> <P> Around 1948, J. V. "Sandy" Sanders (a salesman from Owensboro, Kentucky) saw a demonstration of the Rexair and came to Detroit, Michigan determined to become "The best salesman the company ever had!". In 1953, "Sandy" became one of five Regional Managers in Rexair's newly aligned national sales organization . </P> <P> A newly designed Rexair Cleaner was released in 1955 with a motor allegedly twice as powerful as its predecessor . Rexair executives rechristened it the "Rainbow" with one ad reading, "Now your home can be fresh as a rainbow". </P> <P> In 1969, Rexair opened a 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Cadillac, Michigan . New attachments were developed: the Power Nozzle and AquaMate, among others . The new Rainbow D3 was launched in 1980, the first major model change in twenty years . The D3 was the first Rainbow approved for "wet pick - up". </P>

When did the first rainbow vacuum come out