Did you know the humble broom was not even perfected until the year 1797? A farmer from Massachusetts decided to create one that worked properly after watching his wife struggle to sweep. Soon, his broom, known as broomcorn, became a household name. Of course, as time went by, people got lazier! A few new sweepers and brooms came and went, and it wasn’t until the 1860s when Daniel Hess created the first real vacuum cleaner. According to his patent: “The nature of my invention consists in drawing fine dust and dirt through the machine by means of a draft of air.”
Then, in 1869, Ives McGaffey of Chicago took it even further. Although, his design was actually harder to use than a regular broom. His patent reads: “The accumulation of dust and dirt in dwelling-houses is a source of great annoyance to all good housekeepers… to obviate these difficulties is the object of my invention.” Sadly, his invention did not take off.
The Hercules vacuum cleaner was a very sophisticated and advanced machine for its time. The picture above is covered in crocodile skin, which was quite expensive. What made this product even more luxurious was the fact that it was sold during the Great Depression. At this time, many families could not afford, let alone buy, a Hercules. If you know what this item is, show it to your kids and see if they can guess! They don’t know exactly what it is!
Many designs came and went. But it was James Murray Spangler who revolutionized the vacuum cleaner. A Humble Janitor, aged 60, living in Canton, Ohio, James slaved away to perfect his design. It even took a toll on his health. His machine was better than the rest because not only was it upright, but it was also portable. The crude machine worked well, sucking dirt and blowing it out the back into the attached pillowcase. Spangler patented it in 1907 and quit his job, opening the Electric Suction Sweeper Company.
“It used a ceiling fan motor and paddle blades to create the air flow… he used a leather belt and journaled it to a rotating brush that he had gotten out of a carpet sweeper… No one was able to get the carpet that clean because they didn’t have a motor-driven brush.”
The Hoover was then born when he ran into financial trouble, selling his company to his cousin, Susan Hoover!
As we look back on the evolution of vacuum cleaners, we can’t help but appreciate how far we’ve come. Who would have thought that a contraption like the Hercules would eventually lead to the convenience of modern-day vacuum cleaners like the Roomba? It’s truly amazing to see how technology has transformed our lives and made our daily chores so much easier. So the next time you’re using your vacuum cleaner, take a moment to appreciate the history behind it and be grateful for the innovations that have made our lives better.
The evolution of the vacuum cleaner is a testament to the ingenuity and progress of humanity. From the humble broom to the sophisticated Hercules, and the revolutionary Hoover to the convenient Roomba, we have come a long way in making our lives easier and more efficient. This journey serves as a reminder that change is inevitable, and that by embracing innovation, we can continuously improve our daily lives. As we look to the future, it’s exciting to imagine what new advancements will be made in the world of vacuum cleaners and household cleaning. One thing is for certain – the humble vacuum cleaner will continue to be a vital tool in our homes for generations to come.
