Why Was The Vacuum Cleaner Invented?

Sarah Taylor

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Why Was The Vacuum Cleaner Invented

A vacuum cleaner is a machine that can pull up dust, debris, and dirt from floors and many other surfaces. Moreover, it is an electric or battery-powered device that makes cleaning easy and straightforward.

Our ancestors used to clean floors with corn brooms and clean carpets by hanging them outside the house and beating it to remove dust. It was a very complex and challenging process to clean for the housewife and servants.

The invention of the vacuum cleaner became necessary in the middle of the 18th century when people got sick due to industrial pollution.

Scientist Louis Pasteur published that people became sick because of microorganisms, “germs” created by industries. Then they learn about the importance of hygienic cleaning and decide to automate the cleaning system.

Are you interested to know why was the vacuum cleaner invented?

Keep exploring till the end.

Why Was The Vacuum Cleaner Invented?

Why Was The Vacuum Cleaner Invented?
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There are a number of reasons for inventing this essential tool for making human life more effortless. Let’s see the reason one by one.

The Invention of Vacuum Cleaners

The invention of Vacuum Cleaners
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Daniel Hess of West Union, Iowa, invented the “carpet sweeper” for the first time in the history of vacuum cleaners in 1860. Before the carpet sweeper, people cleaned carpets and rugs by beating them. This machine has no suction power, so it is challenging to pick dirt, and it failed.

Hubert Cecil Booth

Hubert Cecil Booth
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In 1865, Ives McGaffy of Chicago tried to improve the vacuum cleaner’s features and called it the “whirlwind,” but the actual invention of the vacuum happened in 1901 by Hubert Cecil Booth.

Thurman’s machine inspired Both at the empire music hall in London. Thurman designed the device to blow the dust to hope for the rise from the carpet and then collect it in a bag. Booth

tells him to design it so that it can suck the dust. But the inventor said it’s impossible to make the machine like that. So booth challenged him and built a vast engine to suck up the dust.

However, the machine had to be pulled by a horse from one place to another and run on gas that only wealthy people could afford. In addition, it was so big that people called it “Puffing Billy” and could not enter the houses, park it outside, or clean the house with the long pipe by entering the windows or doors. 

Also, Booth’s second machine was electric-powered but still was enormous; the building had to install it.

Domestic Cleaner

Domestic Cleaner
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The vacuum cleaner started the actual vacuuming process and could be carried away by the invention of Walter Griffins in 1905. At an early age, vacuum cleaners had to be taken from one place to another by horses, or vacuums needed to be installed in buildings, but Griffins made that work smooth with his invention.

After that, “Domestic Cyclone” arrived by James B. Kirby; it had a removable and flexible pipe that was portable and easy to use. Kirby came up with the water filter idea, and he developed the idea more than 60 times. 

James Spangler

James Spangler
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James Spangler was working as a janitor in a Canton, Ohio, department store; almost 60 years old and got a coughing disease. So, he wanted to invent something for smooth and hygienic cleaning. 

James then invented his first upright vacuum cleaner with a fan motor and a cloth bag to collect debris. He modified the machine in 1908 and found Hoover, married to James’ first cousin. Hoover bought the idea from James and then developed the vacuum cleaners over the years under Hoover manufacturer.

Some Renown Company of Vacuum Cleaners

Some Renown Company of Vacuum Cleaners
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Many companies have started to invent vacuum cleaners and become famous. I have mentioned some of the companies for their outstanding invention and success.

Hoover Company

Hoover Company
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William Henry Hoover first invented the upright vacuum cleaner in 1926. However, the idea of portable vacuum cleaners first came to mind by James Murray Spangler in 1907. He designed a machine with a rotating brush, an electric fan, and a bag for dust with a motor.

But lacking financial support, he sold the patent to Henry Hoover in 1908. After that, Hoover redesigned the cleaner, adjusted the hose’s filter bags and attachments, and made portable upright vacuums.

Bissell Company

Bissell Company
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Melville Bissell is the inventor of the Bissell company; he produced the company in 1876. The history of the Bissell company started in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Bissell and his wife Anna ran a small crockery shop. 

He was fed up with sawdust cleaning from the carpets; he invented one kind of carpet sweeper. Then their friends and buyer asked them to make the sweeper for them. That way, they started a business with the name of Bissell. 

After the death of Melville Bissell in 1889, Anna became the company’s CEO. She was the first female CEO in American history whose vacuum was used by QUEEN VICTORIA at her palace.

Reeves Vacuum Cleaner

Reeves Vacuum Cleaner
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Reeves introduced hand-powered vacuum cleaners in 1910 with two metal tubes, a suction nozzle, and a wooden handle. It can clean the dirt from floors and carpets.

Dyson Vacuum Cleaner

Dyson Vacuum Cleaner
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James Dyson first introduced the G-force bagless vacuum cleaner in 1983. But the manufacturing company did not buy his machine, so he started his own company and began marketing. 

He researched 5,000 prototypes, which took over thirty years, and then he succeeded in building a multibillion-dollar company of vacuum. It was famous all over the UK and became the fastest-selling vacuum cleaner in history. Some of their product names are Dyson V8, V10, V11, etc.

iRobot Vacuum Cleaner

iRobot Vacuum Cleaner
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The iRobot corporation’s founders are Rodney Brook, Colin Angle, and Helen Griner. iRobot produced Roomba as a vacuum cleaning robot in 2002 for the first time. 

This robotic cleaner has some advanced qualities, such as a rechargeable battery and a self-charging system. 

Vacuum Cleaner as a Luxury

Vacuum Cleaner as a Luxury
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After the invention for many years, vacuum cleaners remain a luxury item, and upper-class society only uses vacuum cleaners. So it was a case against the inventors for making vacuum cleaners. 

But Cecil Booth finally convinced the judge that his strong vacuum cleaner was the only machine that was vacuumed at that time, when the vacuum cleaner was used for the upper class, Buckingham to the Royal Mint and Crystal Palace. 

The Russian’s Tzar Nicholas 2 purchased vacuum cleaners; the House of Commons and the famous Dickens and Jones Department also bought them from London during the first world war.

After the second world-war vacuum cleaner, 

After the second world-war vacuum cleaner
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Vacuum cleaners became user-friendly, portable, small, and cheaper after the second world war. So, middle-class people can afford vacuum cleaners, mainly in Western countries, because their household and the upholstery are suitable for vacuum cleaning. In the last 20th century, vacuum cleaners were popular in many cities and houses.

Electricity As A Blessing Of Vacuum Cleaner

Electricity as a blessing of vacuum Cleaner
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In the evolution of vacuum cleaning, electricity is the essential liability; with electricity, it is easier to make and improve the vacuum function.

In the 20th century, portable electric vacuum cleaners became available, but most houses needed electricity, especially in urban areas in the USA. 

So, they can not have the electric vacuum in their home or buildings. When the electricity reaches every region, then it is called the revolution of vacuums. 

Modern Inventions of Vacuum Cleaners

Modern Inventions of Vacuum Cleaners
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In today’s world, vacuum cleaners are available in many households. And various types of vacuum cleaners make our cleaning work super effortless.

Upright Vacuum

Upright Vacuum
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First, the upright vacuum cleaner was invented by William Henry Hoover. The upright vacuum is a really wonderful invention by Hoover that is easy to use and carry, so it’s popular in many countries such as the USA, the UK, and Commonwealth. It can stand upright depending on the head or the nozzle. The machine is attached to a cleaning head, a bag, and a handle like a unit. 

Types of upright vacuum cleaners are direct-fan and fan-bypass. The older type of the two is a direct fan with a separate cooling fan to cool the motor. Direct-fan upright cleaner has large-bladed fans and a short air path, this type of cleaner can clean the carpet effectively.

You’ll see that the fan-bypass vacuum has a motor fixed after the filter bag. This machine is smaller, and the passing airstream cools the engine. Fan bypass is suitable for cleaning carpet areas and above the floor. 

Nowadays, upright vacuum cleaners are famous and available in so many households. I have mentioned here some best upright cleaners –

Hoovers T-Series WindTunnel Pet Rewind Bagless Strong suction power.
HEPA filter.
Long cord length.
 
Eureka PowerSpeed Retractable power cord.
Has LED headlights.
 
Shark NV356E Easy to use and maneuver.
30 feet long power cord.
Bag-free design.
 

Canister Vacuum

Canister Vacuum
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The Cannister vacuum is the independent body from the wand, and head, which is connected by a hose. Unlike upright vacuum cleaners, the canister part contains a dust cup, filter, and motor. 

A canister vacuum is best for hard-to-reach places and can easily pick up dust from under the bed and furniture. It is popular in the European market because of its flexibility in cleaning. Some best Canister Vacuum Cleaners–

Eureka Mighty Mite Corded Large dust cup capacity.
Lightweight and convenient.
 
Dyson Ball Multi-floor Can quick shipping.
Easy to assemble.
Hepa filtration system.
 

Wet/Dry Vacuum

Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaners:
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This vacuum cleaner can clean dust and dirt and pick up wet and liquid. It’s designed for cleaning wet and dry debris that usually has two tanks, one for dry debris and another for wet stuff. 

This machine can spray hot water with solution or soap on floors and carpets and also can suck it back. This is the cleaning process of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. The name of the best upright vacuum cleaner–

Bissell CrossWave Multi-Surface Can vacuum and wash at the same time.
Has a self-cleaning function.
 
LG CordZero Removable battery.
Comes with a mount, for charging and storage.
Has two Batteries, and both can charge at the same time.
 

Hand-held Vacuum

Hand-held Vacuum
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This vacuum cleaner is lightweight and easy to clean small messes from the house. Dirt Devil arrived with a hand-held vacuum in 1984, which can clean hard-to-reach areas. There are so many models available in the market, some name

Shark UltraCyclone Pro Washable filter.
Powerful suction.
Easy to carry and use.
 
Blak+Decker Dustbuster Flexi  Cordless and portable.
Can be hung on the wall.
Perfect size, easy to use.
 
Dyson V7 Trigger Hassle-free cleaning.
Hygienic dirt ejector.
 

Cordless Vacuum

Cordless Vacuum
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In 1986, Carroll Gantz, Black, and Decker came with a handheld dustbuster for the first time and was the first cordless cleaner. The cordless vacuum runs battery-powered.

Therefore, they can do the cleaning work anywhere and anytime without plugging in. Both of the inventors achieve success with this product very immediately. Some best cordless vacuum cleaners’ names are mentioned section below–

Dyson V7 Animal HEPA filtration.
Comes with a wall mount.
 
Samsung Jet 90 Complete Dual charging station.
5-layer filtration system.
Huge run time.
 

The invention of robotic vacuum cleaners makes the cleaning process super easy. This machine can move and clean automatically with the control of a remote or phone. They can collect dust and debris and also can empty their dustbin itself. Some robotic machines can charge them automatically by getting back on the docking station. Best name of the automatic cleaner–

Robotic Vacuum

Robotic Vacuum
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iRobot Roomba j7 Plus Can map the house.
Has self-emptying features.
Do quit vacuuming.
Connect with phone via app.
 
Shark IQ Robot Self-Emptying Automatically empty dustbin itself.
Control by voice or phone.
Perfect for cleaning pet hair.
 

Cyclonic Vacuum

Cyclonic Vacuum
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The cyclonic vacuum cleaner has a vortex made by the motor in the dust cup, which can separate the dirt and dust particles from the air. Cleveland P. A company invented the cyclone vacuum cleaner in 1928 and sold it to Health- Mor in 1939. 

James Dyson, in 1979 came up with a cyclone separation system, first launched in Japan. Cyclonic vacuums have no filtration bags and no loss of suction power. Let’s know the name of the best cleaner–

Bissell 2486 CleanView Bagless Vacuum Multi-cyclonic function.
Easy to assemble.
Amazing edging system.
 
Black and Decker Multi-Cyclonic Large dust container capacity.
Washable HEPA filter.
 

Conclusion

The history and evolution of vacuum cleaners are amusing; initially, it was only for wealthier people and ended up being for every household. Inventors try hard to make vacuum cleaners handy and user-friendly, starting from Hess to Dyson. 

Over the years, the cleaning and sweeping process changed so much with vacuum-cleaning devices, and it has changed from carpet sweepers to robotic vacuums.

In the 18th century, vacuum cleaners first arrived, and then they were modified and improved machines in so many ways and so many times. Many companies designed vacuums and introduced upright, canister, wet/dry, and cyclonic cleaners. 

The evolution of vacuum cleaners continues, and inventors updated the machines for better cleaning systems. As a result, people can now do their cleaning work effortlessly and quickly and save energy. 

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