subject: An Interesting but Brief History of the Vacuum Cleaner [print this page] An Interesting but Brief History of the Vacuum Cleaner
These days, vacuum cleaners are a popular tool in any family cleaning toolbox, but this has not always been the case. In the past, cleaning was a job performed by using much more primitive tools, such as the trusty sweeping brush or broom. Although these tools were undoubtedly of enormous worth to the house cleaner who had little else to work with, we certainly have made great strides since then, and, in some ways, have come full circle.
It was the Industrial Revolution that set the cleaning world alight. Just before this time, the sweeping brush was king, and actually, this was likely quite sufficient. But although the presence of serious dust and filth increased in the course of the revolution, as the metropolitan areas in which most people lived became covered in soot and other commercial by-products, the dirt which was created was really not enough reason for housewives to become the queens of cleanliness they actually did. Around this period, though, a tremendous propaganda campaign was launched that concerned people with its predictions. Overall health and lives were in mortal danger if dirt was not controlled, and housecleaning devices of all kinds witnessed an enormous jump in sales.
It was against this backdrop that the first vacuum cleaner was invented. Invented in Chicago in 1865, this hand pumped tool lead the way in vacuum cleaner development. Followed by a range of comparable devices, the design became more and more complex as the years progressed, with the cleaners growing increasingly more complex and multifunctional, being used as sideboards, among other things. However, demanding two people to use it, this type of machine was slightly less than user friendly.
The inexpensive availability of electricity opened up brand new doors in vacuum cleaner development. Coming out just after the turn of the 20th century, the electric powered vacuum cleaner, made by brands such as Hoover, made housework easier for tens of millions. Using a fan engine and a pillow case as a dust collector, a man named Spangler began a trend. Soon after, William H. Hoover introduced his vacuums, and the rest, as they say, is history.
