One thing we can always be certain of is that things change over time. And when it comes to advancements in technology, it can be rather scary to see just how much has evolved! Especially if we take a moment to look back at our own lives.
If you were around in the ‘30s, you might remember this funny-looking contraption. But we bet you won’t know what it is! Can you guess? It’s a 1930s vacuum cleaner called the Hercules! Quite odd-looking, isn’t it? Back then, this contraption was a stylish and sophisticated machine covered in crocodile skin, making it quite an expensive purchase. The Hercules was a true luxury item, especially considering it was sold during the Great Depression, a time when many families were struggling to make ends meet.
Now, compare it to the modern Roomba® that effortlessly cleans our floors while we go about our day. It’s amazing how easy our lives have become thanks to technology and progress!
The road to the modern vacuum cleaner wasn’t a smooth one. The humble broom, in its original form, wasn’t even perfected until 1797, when a farmer from Massachusetts invented a broomcorn that worked properly. As time went on, people got lazier and inventors started coming up with new sweepers and brooms.
It wasn’t until the 1860s when Daniel Hess created the first real vacuum cleaner. His invention drew fine dust and dirt through the machine using a draft of air. However, his design was still harder to use than a regular broom. The struggle to keep houses clean led to the invention of the vacuum cleaner.
James Murray Spangler, a humble janitor living in Canton, Ohio, revolutionized the vacuum cleaner in the early 20th century. His machine, which was upright and portable, had a rotating brush that sucked dirt and blew it out the back into an attached pillowcase. Spangler patented his design in 1907, quit his job, and opened the Electric Suction Sweeper Company.
“It was a brilliant innovation. Spangler used a ceiling fan motor and paddle blades to create the airflow, along with a motor-driven brush. No one else could get the carpet that clean!”
Unfortunately, financial troubles led Spangler to sell his company to his cousin, Susan Hoover. And that’s how the Hoover vacuum cleaner was born!
Looking back, it’s fascinating to see how far vacuum cleaners have come. From the stylish and expensive Hercules to the convenience of the Roomba, these machines have made our lives easier and our homes cleaner. So, the next time you see a vacuum cleaner, take a moment to appreciate the ingenuity and progress it represents.
