Need Info about a Hatlinger Sweeper patented 1873 and 1875

[teekerjane]

Hi,

I recently acquired this Hatlinger sweeper and I have been unable to find any information about it. In fact, I can't even find a a mention of it anywhere. I have attached 8 photos. It has a handle that turns a belt that turns a second belt that turns the brush. There is a latched compartment that opens to empty the contents. It has a complete label on the bottom, but the label on the top is missing. Otherwise it appears to be complete and in amazingly good condition. I assume since I could not find any mention of this sweeper that is isn't a common one. Any idea of its value? I have the patent dates of 1873 and 1875, but does anyone know how late this sweeper was used and manufactured? Thanks in advance for any assistance!

 

[caligula]

Hi Teekerjane:

What you have is the fourth oldest sweeping machine, it was also known as 'Willies Cylendrical Sweeper,' though I have no idea who Willie was, or why that name was used. While this is not a 'vacuum cleaner' in the true sense it qualifies as one to the true collector. You asked the history of this device, that I don't know, but can give you some history on the vacuum cleaner.

The first was a monster street sweeper invented around 1850, though as I understand it, not designed for home use. Then in 1869, Ives W. McGaffy invented the Whirlwind, a hand cranked device with all the componants of a standard upright vacuum cleaner except the electric motor. (He would add a motor in 1905.) The Whirlwind is known as the oldest known vacuum cleaner, manufactured in Boston by The American Carpet Cleaning Company, however, it was invented in Chicago on June 5, 1869. In October 1971, Chicago suffered a major fire and as the whirlwind was made of light wood, burned like match sticks. In 1872, Boston suffered a fire as well. Only about 5 Whirlwinds survive today. What followed was a machine called the Agan, manufactured by Whitehead and Hoag in 1870, Willies Cylendrical Sweeper (the Hatlinger) followed in 1873, and that was the last of the upright sweepers. What followed was a two person canister called The Herculese, invented by the father/son team of Peck and Peck or Rochester, New York, and from there the vacuum cleaner was open season as everybody was making them.

Pictured here is the Whirlwind, and if you have any further questions feel free to contact me at [email protected] use the keyword Whirlwind.
Alex Taber.

 

[teekerjane]

Thank you Alex!! Great information and I love the vacuum history lesson. Fascinating stuff! I appreciate your time and assistance.

 

[caligula]

Hi Teekerjane:

That's a great sweeper you have, I'm always happy to help people get information on the really old stuff. By the way, I sent you a lot of material privately, and when I locate the paperwork I got from Stacy Krammes who was the original director of the Hoover Historical Center I'll get that to you as well. This mmaterial was given to me way back in August of 1980.

I don't remember the author, but there was a great book called 'Household Collectables' or something like that when I locate the exact title and author I'll post that info here.

While not the Hatlinger, here's a picture of Willies Cylendrical Sweeper. It was made in Indiana in 1872.

Alex Taber.

 

[caligula]

Hi Teekerjane:

Found the book.

"300 years of Household Collectibles" by Linda Campball Franklin. She also wrote "300 years of Kitchen Collectibles." Both books go back to 1992, and I spoke with the author over the phone to do a feature article for the V.C.C.C. Newsletter, unfortunately this interview never took place, but there's extensive coverage of the vacuum cleaner in 300 years of Household Collectibles.

Alex Taber

 

[caligula]

And here's the Agan, the second oldest vacuum cleaner. This was the first one to use a rotating brush. As you see, this is a lot like the Hatlinger as it has no bag, or belt driven fan to create suction.

The Agan was manufactured by the Whitehead and Hoag company in 1870.