Who First Invented Vacuum Cleaner?

When it comes to keeping our homes and workplaces clean, the vacuum cleaner is an essential tool. It makes cleaning floors, carpets, and upholstery much easier and faster than ever before. But who was the brilliant inventor behind this revolutionary household appliance?

The Early Days

The first recorded attempt at creating a vacuum machine was by British engineer Hubert Booth in 1901. Booth developed a large, horse-drawn contraption that was the first motorized vacuum cleaner. This machine had extraordinarily limited sales because it was huge and cost a fortune.

A few years later, American inventor David T. Kenney created the first electrical vacuum cleaner in the year 1907. Kenney’s invention was based around the concept of pneumatics, using air pressure to clear debris from floors. Despite being a significant breakthrough, these vacuum cleaners were still massive, difficult to handle, and expensive, which made them inaccessible for the majority of people.

The Turning Point

It was a startling day when James Murray Spangler from Ohio, decided to invent a vacuum cleaner that’s light and easy to maneuver. In 1907, he constructed the first functional bag for collecting dust, and this was a game-changer for vacuum cleaners.

Spangler was a divisional door-to-door salesman who worked for a departmental store. While he was working, he often encountered allergy sufferers, and he started to think about inventing an electric appliance to handle this problem. However, he was unable to develop a device that could clean effectively until he came up with the dust-catching bag idea.

Spangler was also asthmatic, and the dust mites responsible for his allergy symptoms were prevalent all over his home. He used his invention in his house and discovered that it worked exceptionally well and reliable. Spangler’s device used a rotating brush that pulled dirt and dust out of the carpet, while suction drew the particles into the bag.

Hoover’s Legacy

Spangler, who was short of patent attorneys, eventually sold his patent to fellow Ohio-based inventor William Hoover, founder of the Hoover Company. Hoover was a successful vacuum cleaner manufacturer, and with Spangler’s design, he revolutionized the world of cleaning technology with the creation of his iconic upright vacuum cleaner.

The Hoover vacuum cleaner was similar to Spangler’s model but more robust and effective due to significant improvements such as the addition of a self-adjusting brush roll, improved nozzle design, and adjustable height controls. Sales of Hoover’s improved vacuum cleaner reached over 2 million by the end of 1926.

Conclusion

In conclusion, different inventors contributed to the development of the vacuum cleaner, from Booth to Kenney to Spangler, who finally made an accessory that could clean effectively. For many years, everyone struggled with hefty and inefficient vacuum cleaners, but Spangler’s lightweight model paved the way for modern domestic vacuum cleaners.

William Hoover cleverly seized the idea and built on it to create a vacuum cleaner that was nothing short of a masterpiece. Hoover’s upright model became the reference for all other vacuum cleaners, molding the household cleaning apparatuses that we use today.

Further reading: Why Is My Pool Bottom Dirty After Vacuuming?

FAQs for the article – Who First Invented Vacuum Cleaner?

1. Who is credited with inventing the first vacuum cleaner?

The first vacuum cleaner was invented by Hubert Cecil Booth, an engineer from England, in 1901.

2. How did Hubert Cecil Booth’s vacuum cleaner work?

Hubert Cecil Booth’s vacuum cleaner used a petrol-driven motor to create suction, which was then used to suck up dust and debris from carpets and floors. The dirt and dust were then collected in a large container.

3. Did anyone invent a vacuum cleaner before Hubert Cecil Booth?

There were several attempts to create a device to clean floors before Booth’s invention. However, these devices were not very effective and were primarily manual in nature.

4. How has the vacuum cleaner evolved since its invention?

Since the first vacuum cleaner was invented, there have been many improvements and advancements to the technology. Today’s vacuum cleaners are much more efficient, lightweight, and portable compared to Booth’s original invention. They also come with additional features such as HEPA filters, automatic sensors, and robotic capabilities.