There is some controversy over who actually invented the first vacuum cleaner.  Some say it was invented in 1860 by Daniel Hess, from West Union, Iowa.  His “carpet sweeper” had a rotating brush and bellows to generate the suction.  His patent was #29,077 U.S. issued July 10, 1860.  I haven’t verified this but the source of this information is ideafinder.com

Others give this invention to Ives McGaffey, who invented the “Whirlwind” vacuum cleaner in Chicago in 1868.  McGaffey’s patent was awarded on June 8th 1869, and this vacuum sold for a high price of $25.

Following hot on the heals of McGaffey and Hess was Melville Bissell who invented a cleaner for his wife in 1876.

Vacuum Cleaners are part of our everyday life.  Whether you own a Dyson, Oreck, Electrolux, Hoover, Dirt Devil, Kirby or some other make of vacuum, our vacuum is an important tool around the home.  Not only do they clean up the rubbish you can see, but they can also clean the stuff you can’t see.

We have collected some interesting facts about vacuum cleaners.

1. Vacuum cleaners come in two main forms – upright or canister models (there are also hand-held models).  The main difference in appearance is that the canister models have a long hose, whereas the upright models have the hose encased in the upright molding.
2. Price is no guarantee that the vacuum will perform better than cheaper models.
3. Upright vacuums tend to be better at cleaning carpets than canister models.  However, canister models tend to have a lot of attachments and brushes to help clean various types of flooring.
4. While metal parts in a vacuum will be more durable, it will make the vacuum a lot heavier.
5. A vacuum cleaner should only expel clean air from its “exhaust”.  Air filters should therefore be kept clean and functional.
6. Vacuums can have bags, or be bagless.  Consider the cost implications of using bags, as these can add up, especially if you have hairy pets that shed a lot of fur.  The bagless models simply contain the “canister” which is easily emptied at no extra cost.
7. Bagless vacuums can leak dust, mites, spores etc, so make sure if you buy a canister vacuum, you buy a good quality one.
8. Some vacuums use HEPA filters.  These are a type of filter that must pass strict quality control tests because they are manufactured to capture a lot of very small particles that other vacuums may lose into the air.  HEPA filters should have test results on the packaging, so read them carefully.
9. Some industrial vacuum cleaners are wet/dry cleaners, sucking up liquids as well as debris.
10. Some vacuums have dirt sensors to tell you when a surface has been sufficiently cleaned.
11. When was the last time you had your vacuum serviced?  They do need servicing if they are to maintain their efficiency.  Sometimes you can do the work yourself, cleaning the brush roll, emptying the dust bad, clearing the hosing of any blockages, etc.
12. Ives McGaffney is reported to have created the first vacuum cleaner, employing a hand crank and bellows.  Other early cleaners employed all manner of imagination to create the vacuum suction.  One Swiss model used a rocking chair.  In 1901, Hubert Booth invented an oil powered cleaner nicknamed “Puffing Billy”.
13. One of the most famous pioneers in the Vacuum niche was W.H. Hoover.  Today Hoover is a household name, and while the name was given to the first Hoover Vacuum, the word Hoover became synonymous with the term vacuum cleaner.