The vacuum cleaner is a device that has made our lives incredibly more convenient. It is a home appliance that has suction power which allows it to effectively remove dust, dirt, and other debris directly from the floor. Along with this, it has attachments and capabilities that make it an effective appliance for cleaning upholstery and various other surfaces. The original vacuum cleaner was invented in 1910 [1]. Believe it or not, but the modern-day vacuum cleaner hasn’t changed much since.
What Did People Use Before Vacuums?
Before the vacuum being invented, people had to clean their floors manually. There was no suction-based appliance that you could use to clean things. Therefore, you had to take rugs outside and beat them with something solid to get rid of the dust from it. Likewise, some homeowners used coverings for their rugs to keep them from accumulating dirt and debris.
First Vacuum-Like Device?
There was a manual vacuum that was invented by Daniel Hess in 1860 [2]. This device was meant to get rid of dust and debris manually. It was dubbed the carpet sweeper and it generated suction through the use of a rotating brush and bellows. There was a belt drive fan that the user would effectively wind up with their hand. Because of this, it was not convenient at all in its intended operation. However, despite it not necessarily being the most accessible appliance, it was an effective appliance and it did have some mainstream success and appeal because it made an otherwise tedious and time-consuming task much easier.
What Was The Original Motorized Vacuum Cleaner Like?
The original featured a motor that was capable of drawing in 1.5 amps and rotated around 1000 to 3000 rpm [1]. While it’s true the vacuum cleaners are faster and drawing more power in today’s marketplace, that doesn’t necessarily boost their effectiveness. It hinders the longevity of the vacuum cleaners. Nowadays, vacuums draw more power and run faster which wears out the components much quicker. Therefore, you could argue the vacuums produced in the early 1900s were better and more durable than the vacuums produced now.
What Is The Future Of Vacuums?
Manufacturers continue to look for ways to improve on the modern vacuum cleaner. There are brands like Dyson who are constantly looking to make vacuums increasingly powerful. However, perhaps the biggest innovation they’ve made is introducing bag-less models along with the inclusion of HEPA filters. Whereas, Hoover is adding more and more patents to improve the vacuum experience.
The Introduction Of Smart Vacuums
Perhaps the biggest thing to look forward to as a consumer would be the introduction of the smart vacuum. The first ever robotic vacuum cleaner appeared in 1996 [3]. You can find robot vacuums being sold in the marketplace from a variety of different brands and manufacturers. These vacuums promise to offer even greater levels of convenience and accessibility to consumers. After all, they can be used to vacuum floors while you aren’t even home to operate the appliance. This alone makes a robot vacuum a worthwhile investment for many.
Overall, the vacuum was one of the most important home appliance inventions in modern history. However, despite it being such an important invention, it hasn’t changed much since. However, there is a lot of hope that in the future home automation and artificial intelligence will change all of that. There is a lot to like about the future of vacuums because of this. Vacuums have already made it incredibly easy, time-efficient, and less tedious to clean our homes. There is hope that in the future this tedious and time-consuming task can be completely automated with the likes of robot vacuums.
References:
[1] https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a20973/history-of-the-vacuum-cleaner/
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robotic_vacuum_cleaner#cite_note-:0-3