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Vacuum cleaner

technology Maturity 7-9 Next article →

A vacuum cleaner is a very useful tool for cleaning.

VacuumCleanerIXLMuseum
VacuumCleanerIXLMuseum

It uses suction to pull dirt and debris from floors. Many machines also use agitation to help. This means they use a brush to shake things loose. The dirt then goes into a dust bag or a plastic bin. You can find many different types of these machines. Some are small handheld tools for quick jobs. Others are large upright or canister models for big rooms.

Sebo Felix 'Fun' Upright Vacuum Cleaner Hoover
Sebo Felix 'Fun' Upright Vacuum Cleaner Hoover

How does the machine actually work?

Vacuum cleaner bag
Vacuum cleaner bag

Most vacuums use a fan to move air. This creates suction that pulls dirt through a nozzle. In many upright models, a motor spins a brushroll. This brushroll is often called a beater bar. It beats the carpet to lift up dust. There are two main ways these machines handle air. Direct-fan cleaners move dirt right through the fan. Fan-bypass cleaners use a bag to catch dirt first. This helps keep the motor clean and safe.

People have been working to improve vacuums for a long time.

Hess carpet sweeper patent model
Hess carpet sweeper patent model

In 1860, Daniel Hess made a manual carpet sweeper. It used bellows to create suction. Later, Ives W. McGaffey made the "Whirlwind" in Chicago in 1868. This machine used a hand crank to spin a fan. In 1898, John S. Thurman used a large engine. His machine sat on a horse-drawn wagon. It traveled to houses to blow dust away. This was a very early way to clean floors.

Many famous companies helped make vacuums common in homes.

Early electric vacuum cleaner, circa 1908
Early electric vacuum cleaner, circa 1908

In 1907, James Spangler invented a portable electric model. He used a soap box and a pillowcase for dirt. He sold his patent to William Henry Hoover in 1908. The Hoover Company later made the Model O. This first model cost 60 dollars. In 1906, James Kirby made the "Domestic Cyclone." It used water to separate the dirt. These inventions changed how people cleaned their houses.

Today, vacuum technology is more amazing than ever.

Electrolux trilobite
Electrolux trilobite

We now have autonomous robotic vacuums. These little robots can clean floors by themselves. In 1997, Electrolux showed the first one on TV. Some new machines even float on air like hovercrafts.

Numatic Henry vacuum cleaner (3308986870) (cropped)
Numatic Henry vacuum cleaner (3308986870) (cropped)

You might also use a canister vacuum for stairs. These have a separate body on wheels. A flexible hose connects the head to the motor. This makes it very easy to reach tight spots. From big shops to small homes, vacuums help everywhere.

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🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:Numatic Henry vacuum cleaner (3308986870) (cropped).jpg
Numatic Henry vacuum cleaner (3308986870)...
File:VacuumCleanerIXLMuseum.jpg
VacuumCleanerIXLMuseum.jpg
File:Hess carpet sweeper patent model.png
Hess carpet sweeper patent model.png
File:Vacuum Cleaner 1906.jpg
Vacuum Cleaner 1906.jpg
File:Vacuum cleaner 1910.JPG
Vacuum cleaner 1910.JPG
File:Early electric vacuum cleaner, circa 1908.jpg
Early electric vacuum cleaner, circa 1908.jpg
File:Kirby G5 upright vacuum cleaner - 20140913.jpg
Kirby G5 upright vacuum cleaner - 20140913.jpg
File:Sebo Felix 'Fun' Upright Vacuum Cleaner Hoover.jpg
Sebo Felix 'Fun' Upright Vacuum Cleaner Hoover.jpg
File:AEG vacuum cleaner.jpg
AEG vacuum cleaner.jpg
Numatic George GVE-370 Wet & Dry Vacuum...
File:USBVacuumCleaner.jpg
USBVacuumCleaner.jpg
File:Electrolux trilobite.jpg
Electrolux trilobite.jpg

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