The Revolutionary Hoover
Many designs came and went, but it was James Murray Spangler who revolutionized the vacuum cleaner. A humble janitor, aged 60, living in Canton, Ohio, James slaved away to perfect his design. It even took a toll on his health. His machine was better than the rest because not only was it upright, but it was also portable.
The crude machine worked well, sucking dirt and blowing it out the back into the attached pillowcase. Spangler patented it in 1907 and quit 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 journaled it to a rotating brush that he had gotten out of a carpet sweeper… No one was able to get the carpet that clean because they didn’t have a motor-driven brush.“
The Hoover was then born when he ran into financial trouble, selling his company to his cousin, Susan Hoover!
As we look back on the evolution of vacuum cleaners, we can’t help but appreciate how far we’ve come. Who would have thought that a contraption like the Hercules would eventually lead to the convenience of modern-day vacuum cleaners like the Hoover?
It’s truly amazing to see how technology has transformed our lives and made our daily chores so much easier. So the next time you’re using your vacuum cleaner, take a moment to appreciate the history behind it and be grateful for the innovations that have made our lives better.
