One thing we can always be sure of is that things change over time. Nothing can stop this. People change, technology changes, and situations change.

Change is inevitable! Just take a moment to look at your own life. How much has it changed over the years? This is especially true when it comes to technological advancements. It can be a little scary to look back and see just how far we’ve come—but also incredibly refreshing.

A Blast from the Past

Remember that “thing” from the 1930s? If you weren’t around back then, you probably have no idea what it is. Don’t worry—you’re not alone!

Meet Hercules, a vacuum cleaner from the 1930s. Strange-looking, isn’t it? Like a bottle or a suitcase. You’d be completely forgiven for not recognizing it. But it’s fascinating to learn that this retro device was once considered cutting-edge technology.

Today, I’m watching my Roomba® mop the floor as I type this—how far we’ve come! Imagine how exciting and innovative a machine like the Hercules must have been back then. In contrast, we now take for granted the ease and automation that modern technology provides.

The Hercules wasn’t just functional; it was luxurious. Some models were even covered in crocodile skin—a high-end material, especially during the Great Depression, when most families could barely afford basic necessities, let alone a fancy vacuum cleaner.

If you ever come across one, show it to your kids and see if they can guess what it is. Chances are, they’ll have no clue!

The Humble Beginnings

Did you know the broom wasn’t even perfected until 1797? That’s when a Massachusetts farmer crafted a better version after watching his wife struggle to sweep. His creation, known as broomcorn, quickly became a household name.

But as time went on, people wanted something more efficient. A few sweeping tools came and went, but it wasn’t until the 1860s that Daniel Hess invented the first true vacuum cleaner.

According to his patent:

“The nature of my invention consists in drawing fine dust and dirt through the machine by means of a draft of air.”

In 1869, another inventor, Ives McGaffey from Chicago, built upon Hess’s idea. Ironically, his design was actually harder to use than a regular broom!

From his patent:

“The accumulation of dust and dirt in dwelling-houses is a source of great annoyance to all good housekeepers… to obviate these difficulties is the object of my invention.”

Unfortunately, McGaffey’s device didn’t catch on.

The Revolutionary Hoover

While many designs came and went, it was James Murray Spangler, a humble janitor from Canton, Ohio, who truly revolutionized the vacuum cleaner in the early 1900s. At the age of 60, Spangler worked tirelessly—often at the cost of his own health—to create a better design.

His invention stood out because it was upright, portable, and efficient. It used a ceiling fan motor, paddle blades to generate airflow, and a motor-driven rotating brush—something no other design had at the time. Dirt was sucked in and blown into a pillowcase at the back.

Spangler patented his invention in 1907, quit his job, and founded 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.”

Eventually, he sold the company to his cousin, Susan Hoover, when he ran into financial difficulties—and thus, the Hoover® brand was born.

A Modern Appreciation

As we look back on the evolution of vacuum cleaners, we can’t help but appreciate how far we’ve come. From the crocodile-skin-covered Hercules to the hands-free, AI-powered Roomba, the journey has been incredible.

So the next time you turn on your vacuum cleaner, take a moment to reflect on its origins. Behind every hum and suction is a long history of innovation and hard work that has made our daily chores so much easier.