James Blaine "Jim" Kirby (September 28, 1884 – June 7, 1971) was an American inventor and self-taught electrical engineer who focused his career on "eliminating the drudgery of housework".
Much of Lowell's work was devoted to describing Kirby's whimsical, innovative home at 4374 Broadview Road in Richfield, Ohio.
Kirby grew up in Cleveland's southwest side on Marvin Avenue with his younger brother Walter and an orphaned cousin, Bessie.
The LaunDRYette washing machines became very popular and Kirby's share of the profits allowed him to buy and expand his farm in Richfield.
Scott and Fetzer began producing both electric and non-electric versions of Kirby's design under a new division named “Vacuette”.
When Kirby and his wife Nellie moved to a second Richfield location in 1936, they sold their former home to the Cleveland Girl Scout Council which converted it into a camp later known as Crowell Hilaka.