One thing we can always be sure of is that everything changes over time. We can’t stop this. People change, technology changes, and situations change. Change is inevitable! For example, look back on your life. How much has actually changed? This is especially true when it comes to technological advances. It’s quite scary to look back and see how much things have changed. But it can also be very refreshing.
Remember the good old days when cleaning was a tedious task? You probably don’t even know what this unusual object from the 1930s is. If you weren’t there at the time, you probably wouldn’t know what it was. Can you guess what this strange bottle-like object is?
This fun object, which looks like a vial or stand, is actually his 1930s vacuum cleaner known as Hercules. This is a retro vacuum cleaner that is very different from modern high-powered vacuum cleaners. please think about it. Roomba® silently sweeps the floor while I sit and type.
Can you imagine what life was like before? How interesting and innovative were such machines back then? And now we all take for granted how much easier our lives have become thanks to technology and advancement.
The Hercules vacuum cleaner was not only a cleaning tool, but also an example of style. The one in the photo above was luxuriously lined with crocodile leather and was quite an expensive purchase. It’s hard to imagine such a stylish car being sold during the Great Depression, when many families were struggling to make ends meet, much less affording a Hercules.
At the time, this car symbolized a world of sophistication and luxury that most people could only dream of.
Did you know that this rustic broom was not completed until his 1797? It was created by a Massachusetts farmer who watched his wife struggle to clean his floors. His broom, called the corn broom, quickly became famous. However, over time, people started looking for easier ways to clean.
It wasn’t until his 1860s that Daniel Hess created the first serious vacuum cleaner. According to his patent, his invention involved using a stream of air to suck fine dust and dirt through a machine.
In 1869, Ives McGuffey of Chicago took this concept further. However, its design turned out to be more difficult to use than a regular broom. His patent was aimed at solving the problem of dust and dirt accumulation in the home. Unfortunately, his invention was not very popular.
Several developments came and went, but it was James Murray Spangler, his unassuming 60-year-old caretaker from Canton, Ohio, who revolutionized vacuum cleaners. He tirelessly improved the design, even at the cost of his health. His machine stood out from the others not only because it was vertical, but also because it was portable.
It was a rough job, but they were able to efficiently suck up the dirt and return it to the pillowcase that came with it. Spangler patented his invention in 1907 and took the plunge to quit his job and start a business manufacturing electric vacuum cleaners. Spangler’s innovation was truly transformative. His machine used a ceiling fan’s motor and blades to create the necessary airflow.
By connecting a leather belt to the rotating brush, we have achieved unparalleled cleaning efficiency. Others couldn’t clean their carpets this way because they didn’t have electric brushes. This marked the birth of Hoover, when Spangler ran into financial trouble and sold the business to his cousin Susan Hoover.
So the next time you use your latest vacuum cleaner to effortlessly clean your living space, be grateful for the journey it took to get here. From the elegant Hercules to the innovative Hoover, the evolution of vacuum cleaners has undoubtedly made our lives easier and cleaning more convenient than ever. Share this fascinating story with your family and watch their awe when they realize how far they’ve come.
