When Was the First Carpet Sweeper Invented?
Environmentalists today would love to have a carpet sweeper in every household. Women of the late 1800s were very excited about this machine. It was a common household cleaning machine for about 100 years.
The carpet sweeper became obscure during the 1980s when the electric vacuum cleaner became very affordable. Today, the sweeper is coming back as an eco-friendly cleaning machine that runs on elbow grease.
Does this Spark an idea?
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In the Beginning
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Rug beaters were the tool of choice to clean the large Turkish carpets that lay on the floors in principal rooms of the mid-Victorian homes. The carpets were physically removed from the home and hung over a rope line outside. Rug beaters, resembling oversized flyswatters, were used to knock imbedded dirt out of the carpet.
Beginning about 1811, floor-sweeping machines started coming to market after James Hume of England presented his model. As each imperfect carpet sweeper appeared, homemakers snatched them up, only to be quickly disappointed with the level of performance.
The Mechanic
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Melville Bissell was born in Hartwick, New York on 25 September 1843. His lifespan of 46 years was too short, but he left a favorable impression on the household cleaning scene.
He was mechanically astute and he created a carpet sweeper designed to operate at maximum efficiency. Mr. Bissell brought his carpet sweeper to market in 1876 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Birth of The Bissell
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Consumers soon found that his carpet sweeper did exactly what it was supposed to do -- and did it well. Thanks to the quality of this sweeper, satisfied buyers dubbed it "The Bissell."
Melville's carpet sweeper uses revolving brushes to gather dirt and dust into the collector bin unit housed inside the sweeper. The proper operation of the carpet sweeper depends on rotation of the wheels that turn the revolving brushes. The sweeper removes debris from the surface of rugs or carpets between intense cleanings.
Quality Built-In
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The Bissell was not first on the carpet sweeper scene, but it was first to operate efficiently. Bissell's sweeper was lighter than others that were available. It picks up the dirt on uneven floors. It does not leave a cloud of dirt in its path.
When that information leaked out, demand for the Bissell sweeper grew. It became apparent that the sweeper should be made in quantity and, six years later, the Bissells opened their factory.
Environmentally Friendly Comeback
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Although the carpet sweeper fell from grace during the 1980s, 25 years later this machine is making a strong comeback. They do not have motors that depend upon electricity. There is no need for cords or batteries. Today, this carpet sweeper is much lighter, yet the motion needed gives a great aerobic workout.
Bissell, Inc. is recognized as a leader in the household cleaning product industry. They are selling products in more than 60 countries. The Bissell family still owns the private family business. Today, members of the Bissell family still manage the daily operation of Bissell, Inc.
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