One thing we can all agree on is that things change over time. People change, technology changes, and situations change too. Change is inevitable! Just think about how much your own life has changed. Especially when it comes to advancements in technology, it can be quite amazing to reflect on how much has evolved. But, it can also be quite exciting!
Take, for example, this peculiar-looking “thing”. We bet you won’t be able to guess what it is! Unless you were around in the ’30s, chances are you won’t have a clue. If you do, well done! It’s quite intriguing, isn’t it? Can you figure out what this contraption could possibly be?
You wouldn’t be blamed for not knowing what this ancient device is. But we know you’re eager to find out! This odd-looking item that resembles a flask or some kind of carrier is actually a 1930’s vacuum cleaner, called the Hercules! This retro vacuum is a far cry from the high-tech hoovers we have today. In fact, as I sit here, I’m watching my Roomba® effortlessly clean my floor! Can you imagine what life must have been like back then? How awe-inspiring and innovative a machine like this was at the time? And yet, today, we often take for granted just how easy our lives have become thanks to technology and progress.
The Stylish Hercules Vacuum Cleaner
The Hercules Vacuum cleaner was not only functional, but it was also a very stylish and sophisticated machine for its time. The one pictured above was even covered in crocodile skin, making it quite an extravagant purchase. What made it even more luxurious is that it was sold during the great depression – a time when many families struggled to make ends meet, let alone buy a Hercules.[^1] If you did know what this item was, try showing it to your kids and see if they can guess! They definitely won’t have a clue!
The Humble Beginnings of Vacuum Cleaners
Did you know that the humble broom wasn’t even perfected until 1797? A farmer from Massachusetts named Levi Dickinson created a broom that actually worked well after watching his wife struggle to sweep. Soon, his broom made from broomcorn became a household staple. However, as time went by, people started to get lazier! A few new sweepers and brooms came and went, and it wasn’t until the 1860s when Daniel Hess created the first real vacuum cleaner. According to his patent, his invention involved drawing fine dust and dirt through the machine using a draft of air.
Then, in 1869, Ives McGaffey of Chicago took it a step further. Although his design was actually more challenging to use than a regular broom, his intention was to alleviate the difficulties faced by housekeepers dealing with dust and dirt in their homes. Unfortunately, his invention didn’t gain much traction.
Many designs came and went, but it was James Murray Spangler who truly revolutionized the vacuum cleaner. A humble janitor from Canton, Ohio, James worked tirelessly to perfect his design, even at the expense of his health.
His machine was superior because not only was it upright, but it was also portable. The crude machine worked effectively, sucking up dirt and blowing it out the back into an attached pillowcase. Spangler patented it in 1907 and left his job, opening the Electric Suction Sweeper Company.
“It used a ceiling fan motor and paddle blades to create the airflow… he used a leather belt and attached it to a rotating brush that he had obtained from a carpet sweeper… No one was able to get the carpet that clean before because they didn’t have a motor-driven brush.”
And that’s when the Hoover was born! When Spangler encountered financial difficulties, he ended up selling his company to his cousin, Susan Hoover! The rest, as they say, is history.
