Collector, designer, museum guide: Mr. Tom Frampton has been working with fans since his schooldays and founded his very own company Fanimation in 1984.
Estimated reading time: 5 min
Interview with Mr. Frampton, Fanimation founder and CEO
Fanimation is a manufacturer of ceiling fans with special partly reminiscent of historic originals. On their inside the models bear state-of-the-art technology such as a soundless DC motor.
Mr. Frampton is a man who spent his youth during ‘70s and ‘80s in the American state of California. As a student he already had a connection to antiques and history, he likes to wear leather jackets and passes on wearing ties with his colorful shirts, e.g. in a warm purple shade like the Fanimation branding. His office is decorated with fifties-style postcards and a photograph of this family.
Is he some sort of Bill Murray of the fan industry? A one-of-a-kind artist, an eccentric collector? After all, he is in charge of the Antique Fan Museum with more than 1,000 exhibits, some of which he acquired during adventurous travels.
I was looking forward to our phone call on Friday, 13 January. It became clear rather quickly that this down-to-earth man always stayed true to the piece of advice he is now giving the next generation of new business founders: “Do what you like.“
Mr. Frampton, you are from sunny California and moved to Indiana in 1994 together with the company. Have you gotten used to the winter by now?
There are only two seasons in Southern California, here we have four. That might mean there is a much more variety of weather, but today we have -4 degrees, it’s snowing! Brr…
- Yes, we are all too familiar with the winter over here at creoven, the office would like to offer our deepest sympathy.
What started your passion for fans?
In the school holidays I worked in an antiques shop who also carried fans. I saw him work long and hard every day with passion, he did smaller repairs and took care of his goods. It inspired me. Back then I didn’t know that I wanted to do fans in special. I just knew that I wanted to have my own company. It wasn’t important at that point what products would be in the focus.
↪More about the history company in our Fanimation brand presentation
Is there a difference between Europe and the US when it comes to preferences?
I get the impression that more importance is attached to application in Europe. The airflow volume is very important. There are high expectations for the function, and not so much the finish or style. People prefer a simple contemporary design and clear shapes.
When I am at trade fairs I am not looking for the designs, I look for the technology. When it comes to design, we are mostly doing what I want (he laughs).
There are only two seasons in Southern California, here we have four. That might mean there is a much more variety of weather, but today we have -4 degrees, it’s snowing! Brr…
- Yes, we are all too familiar with the winter over here at creoven, the office would like to offer our deepest sympathy.
What started your passion for fans?
In the school holidays I worked in an antiques shop who also carried fans. I saw him work long and hard every day with passion, he did smaller repairs and took care of his goods. It inspired me. Back then I didn’t know that I wanted to do fans in special. I just knew that I wanted to have my own company. It wasn’t important at that point what products would be in the focus.
↪More about the history company in our Fanimation brand presentation
Is there a difference between Europe and the US when it comes to preferences?
I get the impression that more importance is attached to application in Europe. The airflow volume is very important. There are high expectations for the function, and not so much the finish or style. People prefer a simple contemporary design and clear shapes.
When I am at trade fairs I am not looking for the designs, I look for the technology. When it comes to design, we are mostly doing what I want (he laughs).
Were there any distinct changes in the design of ceiling fans over the last years?
In the past models used to be bombastic, they jumped out as the main part of the room. Now ceiling fans blend in the room, they are part of the whole design.
Do you do the designs yourself?
A lot of fans in the catalogue come from my ideas. Usually I get an idea of a “look“ started, but I don’t do all the engineering behind it. The implementation is done in collaboration with other designers. I can draw the base of the prototypes on a basic level on the computer, but it would kill me to draw a fan by hand!
In the past models used to be bombastic, they jumped out as the main part of the room. Now ceiling fans blend in the room, they are part of the whole design.
Do you do the designs yourself?
A lot of fans in the catalogue come from my ideas. Usually I get an idea of a “look“ started, but I don’t do all the engineering behind it. The implementation is done in collaboration with other designers. I can draw the base of the prototypes on a basic level on the computer, but it would kill me to draw a fan by hand!
Being a collector yourself, how many fans do you have at home?
I only have one fan on my desk. I received an old General Electric as a birthday present last year. I loan the others to the museum.
We noticed several ceiling fans on this virtual video tour of the Fanimation office building – there is just no way around it : )
Are you sometimes taking on the role of the museum guide?
Yes, I enjoy doing that, I have a lot to tell. People like that. The museum’s visitors already have a passion for fans and come from a long distance to see it.
I only have one fan on my desk. I received an old General Electric as a birthday present last year. I loan the others to the museum.
We noticed several ceiling fans on this virtual video tour of the Fanimation office building – there is just no way around it : )
Are you sometimes taking on the role of the museum guide?
Yes, I enjoy doing that, I have a lot to tell. People like that. The museum’s visitors already have a passion for fans and come from a long distance to see it.
| Upon Frampton’s invitation the Antique Fan Museum has moved to the company headquarters in Indiana, attracting countless visitors every year. The unique exhibition has become iconic amongst the community of collectors. Visitors frequently leave posts on the company’s Facebook page, letting others know how exciting it was to finally see the ceiling fan “dinosaurs“ with their own eyes. Thanks to their many unusual models Fanimation have established themselves as one of the most popular manufacturers, even offering shirts and headwear with the company logo in their website. Who needs the Hard Rock Café, after all? |
Mr. Frampton shows off his precious treasures in the AFCA Antique Fan Museum
Just how big is your passion for collecting? Are you browsing the internet daily for new items on sale?
Exactly! I would do it all the time if I could. For example I am checking eBay classified advertisements. I am also part of the Antique Fan Collectors‘ Club with about 700 members, so I stay informed. But the club isn’t just about collecting, it also involves full restauration in a lab.
Are there any fans that you don’t like?
No really?
What was a pleasant experience during the last weeks at work?
The museum was on television on 28 December here in the US. ( Meet Mr. Frampton at the seven minute mark.) The Learning Channel showed “My Kid’s Obsession“, a series about children collecting things. One boy was a collector of fans, he owns about 200 items. I invited him and his parents to our museum. He was amazed by the rare pieces on display.
Can you tell us something about future plans for products?
Oh, that is a secret, someone is looking over my shoulder right now. I’m not in the office at the moment.
Do you have other hobbies?
I enjoy history and have visited major sites of military events all over the world. I am also interested in other history-related topics, such as language.
Where is your next journey taking you?
First, the Dallas Lighting Show and one week later Las Vegas. In March I will visit the production facilities in China and have a private meeting with a collector in Vietnam. Vietnamese fans are unique, they are different from the ones in China or India, for example. They are more industrial, but also have a French and Italian design influence.
Picture: Mr. Frampton during a previous visit in China. We hope his experiences will serve as inspiration for a new exciting Fanimation product line.
I enjoy history and have visited major sites of military events all over the world. I am also interested in other history-related topics, such as language.
Where is your next journey taking you?
First, the Dallas Lighting Show and one week later Las Vegas. In March I will visit the production facilities in China and have a private meeting with a collector in Vietnam. Vietnamese fans are unique, they are different from the ones in China or India, for example. They are more industrial, but also have a French and Italian design influence.
Picture: Mr. Frampton during a previous visit in China. We hope his experiences will serve as inspiration for a new exciting Fanimation product line.
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