Who Invented the Vacuum Cleaner & When?

Long before there were vacuum cleaners, maintaining carpeting was expensive. Because there was no easy way to get dust and dirt off floors, homes were often made of hardwood. Rugs were swept daily for basic maintenance. Usually once a week, they were taken outdoors, hung from a clothesline and beaten to remove stubborn dust. This all changed with the invention of the vacuum cleaner.

Definition

A vacuum cleaner uses an air pump to create a suction or vacuum to lift dirt and other particles out of carpet or other types of flooring. The dirt is usually collected in a bag or other chamber for future disposal.

Forerunner

An early ancestor to the vacuum cleaner was the manual carpet sweeper. There are several claims as to who invented the first carpet sweeper. One of the most famous stories is that the sweeper was invented by Melvile Bissell, the founder of the Bissell cleaning company. According to the Bissell company, Mr. Bissell invented the carpet sweeper to help his wife get sawdust out of the carpets in their crockery store. Cleaning with these early sweepers was done entirely by brushes that rotated on wheels.

The First Suction Cleaner

According to the History Channel, the first cleaner that operated on the principles of creating a vacuum was a wooden device called a whirlwind. This wooden machine was lightweight and compact, yet operating it was difficult because users were required to turn a hand crank to operate it while at the same time pushing it across the floor.

The First Practical Vacuum Cleaner

Over the years, several more vacuum cleaner designs were introduced, including a hand-crank model with a brush roll in 1875 and a 92-lb. vacuum cleaner that was marketed as being the first portable vacuum. Then, in 1907, a janitor from Canton, Ohio, named James Spangler invented a lightweight, upright model of vacuum that used a bag to collect dirt. Spangler patented his design and began to market what eventually became known as the Hoover vacuum cleaner.

Updates In Technology

Most modern housekeepers would recognize Spangler's vacuum cleaner. The machine has had relatively few advances since its invention. Advances in vacuum cleaner technology have concentrated on cleaning efficiency, speed and on making the cleaner more lightweight.