The History of the Production of Vacuum Cleaners
By Boozam

The science behind the production of vacuum cleaners is a few centuries old.  As early as 1698, when Thomas Savery patented the steam engine, he created a vacuum while trying to figure out how to pump water from mines.  In 1712, Thomas Newcomen used a vacuum to run the atmospheric steam engine.  From these early beginnings, came the science behind the vacuum cleaner. 

Early Versions of the Vacuum Cleaner

The production of vacuum cleaners was an important technology to many designers.  In 1868, Ives W. McGaffey created the Whirlwind vacuum cleaner.  Although it was lightweight and small, it was hard to use because a person was required to use a hand crank while pushing the vacuum around.  Its cost was $25, which was considered very expensive in those days. 

Corinne Dufour, received the patent for an electric carpet sweeper and dust gatherer in 1900.  Soon afterwards, H. Cecil Booth patented a filter system for vacuums.  In 1905, Walter Griffiths created a small and mobile vacuum that used a bellows system for suction with a removable pipe for which there were nozzle attachments for different cleaning jobs.  It was called "Griffith's Improved Vacuum Apparatus for Removing Dust from Carpets".   The design and production of vacuum cleaners did not slow down. 

David T. Kenney received nine patents for his vacuum inventions and, in 1919, he founded the "Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers' Association".  James Spangler designed a vacuum using a pillowcase, fan and a box.  He developed a rotating brush accessory which he patented in ...... (to be continued on next paragraph)

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(continued)...... 1908 and later sold to "Hoover Harness and Leather Goods Factory".  In 1951, Hoover released a hovercraft style vacuum that floated on the exhaust of its motor and these remain a collectors item. 

Vacuum Motor is Standardized

During the 1950s, the design of the motor became standardized and the same motor type was used until 1980.  Wheels were added for rolling the canister bodies and the handles were redesigned for easier handling.  After WWII, vacuums became available to everyone. 

Varieties of Vacuum Cleaner Styles

Modern technology has added to the production of vacuum cleaners.  There are now varieties of vacuum styles suitable for everyone.  Styles include upright, canister, wet vacuums, dry vacuums, small, hand held, specialty, central vacuums, robotic and drum.  Important developments in vacuum cleaner technology include the HEPA filtration system, bagless and cyclonic action.  In 2000, robotic vacuum cleaners hit the market.  Robotic vacuums can clean an area by themselves by moving in patterns across a floor and most are for private homes.  Another recent development, in 2004, brought back the hovering vacuum.  This hovering vacuum called the Airider, was created by a British company and is small and lightweight.

It will be interesting to see how much the production of vacuum cleaners will continue to evolve in the modern age.  People will always want to clean their floors and the vacuum cleaner has proven to be such a useful tool that it is not likely that the design and production of vacuum cleaners will ever end.