Ed York Hall of Fame

The Great Oz

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Skip my Ed story if you've heard it before.

I'd talked with Ed at various events but never really spent any time with him. I know he did some damage while looking out for #1. (Selling a "sanitized water carpet sanitizing machine" didn't help his reputation.)

He came to an event near the end of his active life, getting around on a motorized cart (not sure how many heart attacks by then) and representing Cimex. I decided I should talk to the guy while I still had a chance.

He told me that being named "Cleanfax's carpet cleaning industry's Person of the Twentieth Century" had changed him. When he saw the article he tossed it aside. He then started getting calls from people thanking him for something he'd done, and after awhile he was getting pretty ticked at the phone ringing.

Later he started feeling funny, as if what these people thought mattered. He said that all the years of being a hard ass fell away; he started crying, sobbing. What people thought of him really did mean something. He said he could no longer pretend not to care.

When I told the story to an industry veteran. He said, "And you bought that?"

Maybe John Downey was Luke to Ed's Darth? I'd like to believe that something did happen that allowed him the perspective to relax. He certainly was good to everyone for the duration of that event,
 

Jim Pemberton

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Skip my Ed story if you've heard it before.

I'd talked with Ed at various events but never really spent any time with him. I know he did some damage while looking out for #1. (Selling a "sanitized water carpet sanitizing machine" didn't help his reputation.)

He came to an event near the end of his active life, getting around on a motorized cart (not sure how many heart attacks by then) and representing Cimex. I decided I should talk to the guy while I still had a chance.

He told me that being named "Cleanfax's carpet cleaning industry's Person of the Twentieth Century" had changed him. When he saw the article he tossed it aside. He then started getting calls from people thanking him for something he'd done, and after awhile he was getting pretty ticked at the phone ringing.

Later he started feeling funny, as if what these people thought mattered. He said that all the years of being a hard ass fell away; he started crying, sobbing. What people thought of him really did mean something. He said he could no longer pretend not to care.

When I told the story to an industry veteran. He said, "And you bought that?"

Maybe John Downey was Luke to Ed's Darth? I'd like to believe that something did happen that allowed him the perspective to relax. He certainly was good to everyone for the duration of that event,

Thank you for sharing that story Bryan

Knowing Ed as well as I did, I could understand the industry veteran who asked "And you bought that?"

We never know another person's heart of course, though I'm sad to say that I feel the same cynicism.

What I'll continue to say this this:

In spite of his many flaws, Ed York changed our industry for the better, and most never realize just how much what they do each day was touched by him, if not actually begun by him.

As I sit here now, my career as a distributor of cleaning products and as a trainer was profoundly influenced, in fact in many ways created, by his vision.

There have been many more brilliant men than Ed York. Certainly there have been men who were or are more ethical and integrous.

But I feel safe to say that Ed York was the greatest.
 
F

FB7777

Guest
Skip my Ed story if you've heard it before.

I'd talked with Ed at various events but never really spent any time with him. I know he did some damage while looking out for #1. (Selling a "sanitized water carpet sanitizing machine" didn't help his reputation.)

He came to an event near the end of his active life, getting around on a motorized cart (not sure how many heart attacks by then) and representing Cimex. I decided I should talk to the guy while I still had a chance.

He told me that being named "Cleanfax's carpet cleaning industry's Person of the Twentieth Century" had changed him. When he saw the article he tossed it aside. He then started getting calls from people thanking him for something he'd done, and after awhile he was getting pretty ticked at the phone ringing.

Later he started feeling funny, as if what these people thought mattered. He said that all the years of being a hard ass fell away; he started crying, sobbing. What people thought of him really did mean something. He said he could no longer pretend not to care.

When I told the story to an industry veteran. He said, "And you bought that?"

Maybe John Downey was Luke to Ed's Darth? I'd like to believe that something did happen that allowed him the perspective to relax. He certainly was good to everyone for the duration of that event,
good info and perspective Jim...

‘it’s more likely than not that Mr York was being genuine in his reflection in his twilight... why else reveal such a personal revelation other than an act of contrition? Some simply attempt a campaign of revisionist history to repair their reputation... this guy claimed ownership ... much credit for that act alone


for some uber wealthy, I view philanthropy as a vehicle to repay earlier transgressions
 

Jim Pemberton

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good info and perspective Jim...

‘it’s more likely than not that Mr York was being genuine in his reflection in his twilight... why else reveal such a personal revelation other than an act of contrition? Some simply attempt a campaign of revisionist history to repair their reputation... this guy claimed ownership ... much credit for that act alone


for some uber wealthy, I view philanthropy as a vehicle to repay earlier transgressions

Well put.

Pittsburgh is full of museums, libraries, parks, hospitals and the like with the names of Carnegie and Frick on them.

Not the best human beings in their earlier days by far.
 

John Downey

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Wish I had more time. For now just a couple things to add.

Great story, Bryan. I have to doubt it was true, as his wife Wanda told me as much when I talked to her after Ed passed.

Much has been made on this thread about Ed and low moisture cleaning. But that’s not where he first made his mark, he first made his mark selling steam cleaning before steam cleaning became the standard.

To understand Ed’s genius (and why he could be so annoying) you need know one thing about him: Ed York was the consummate CONTRARIAN.

I’ve enjoyed reading this thread. Thanks Mike.
 

The Great Oz

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Ozone generated water?
Hot tub style ozone generator in a portable. Leading people to believe the treated water could then sanitize carpet as you cleaned was the issue.

I happened to be walking by that booth with Michael Berry and commented that I wasn't sure how that could work. He said, "It doesn't, but some carpet cleaners will believe anything." Ed sold a couple at that show.
 

Jimmy L

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Yeah I remember that ozone infused water.

I think they even made a TM with it?
 
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Desk Jockey

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Wish I had more time. For now just a couple things to add.

Great story, Bryan. I have to doubt it was true, as his wife Wanda told me as much when I talked to her after Ed passed.

Much has been made on this thread about Ed and low moisture cleaning. But that’s not where he first made his mark, he first made his mark selling steam cleaning before steam cleaning became the standard.

To understand Ed’s genius (and why he could be so annoying) you need know one thing about him: Ed York was the consummate CONTRARIAN.

I’ve enjoyed reading this thread. Thanks Mike.
Yes if you recall back in those early days he was in a battle with the Better Business Bureau over the term Steam Cleaning. They were forcing cleaners to use HWE or risk lawsuit's.
 
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prodrying

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Wow! What great stories of Ed. It’s been great reading all these.

Also, thanks to Rick Gelinas for saying nice things about me. Check’s in the mail Rick.
 

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