Oldest vacuum cleaner turns 140 today

[caligula]

On June 8, 1869 Ives W, Mcgaffy was granted a patent for his "sweeping machine." That was the "Whirlwind." It was manufactured in Boston by the American Carpet Cleaning Co., and was the first vacuum cleaning device we know of.

 

[sireluxomatic]

Happy 140th Birthday

Too bad we can't go backwards in time 140 years and see this machine brand new.

 

[ridgidvac]

Any pics of the Whirlwind? I'd LOVE 2 c some pics.

 

[ohio_tuec]

Or even see an example of it. I believe one of the founding members of the VCCC, Bob Taber, had a Whirlwind.

 

[aeoliandave]

Thank you for the reminder, Alex.

Took a pic of this one at the Hoover Historical Centre a few years back. Sorry the focus is so bad or we'd be able to read the wall plaque.

Dave

 

[caligula]

Whirlwind

Thank you for the picture Dave, it saves me a lot of time loading pictures.

Yes, I am the owner of the Whirlwind. Back in 1988, the National Enquirer ran a contest to find the reader with the "oldest working vacuum cleaner" I entered and won. At the moment the whirlwind is packed away in a storage locker with the rest of my collection.

In answer to another post, I'm the founder of the VCCC! I went to the Hoover Historical Center in September of 80 and met the director Stacy Krammes. A year later she forwarded a letter to me from John Lucia. Together he and I went to the Hoover Historical Center and Hoover factory. Armed with the names of several fellow collectors, we formed the club. However, it was my groundwork that started the club. I was also the publisher of our newsletters for the first 12 years.

When we were forming Vacuumland I sent a box of archives to our webmaster Fred Nelson for use on the website. Fred has that box and will give it back to me at the convention. With that paperwork I can again write vacuum cleaner history.

I look forward to seeing all who attend the convention next week.

Alex Taber.

 

[kirbyotronic]

Here is a little more bit of info.

~Alex

http://www.vachunter.com/history.htm

 

[caligula]

Vac-Hunter

Dear Alex

Bob K. the Vac-Hunter is a former friend of mine, he also owns a Whirlwind, but he got his several years after I got mine, so he's second in line to me. As far as we know Bob and I are the only private collectors to own one. At any rate the information in that topic came from me.

I compiled the history of the Vacuum Cleaner and will post information as I get it. Here's a brief history of the first three.

Whirlwind-- style upright, inventor by Ives W. Mcgaffy 1869, manufactured by the American Carpet Cleaning Co. Boston, Mass.

Agan-- style upright, inventor unknown, 1870, manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag. City unknown at this time.

Herculese-- style tank, inventor thought to be father and son team of Peck & Peck. Rochester, New York. This was the first of the two person operated pumpers. So it was the first outfitted with a hose and tools.

This information should be in a past newsletter, sometine around Spring of 06, the original is in my box of archives.

Alex Taber.