- Change is an inevitable force shaping our lives, particularly in technology. Looking back at the ’30s, the evolution of technology becomes evident. “One thing we can always be certain of is that things change over time.”
- Mystery of the 1930s Vacuum Cleaner (35 words): In the ’30s, an odd-looking flask-like item was a revolutionary vacuum cleaner called Hercules. Covered in crocodile skin, it reflected luxury during the Great Depression. Today’s Roomba® stands in stark contrast to the innovation of that era.
- Revolutionizing Cleaning Tools (61 words): Brooms were basic until 1797 when a Massachusetts farmer perfected the broomcorn. In the 1860s, Daniel Hess introduced the first vacuum cleaner, aiming to draw dust with air. James Murray Spangler, a humble janitor, improved it in 1907. His portable, upright design, using a ceiling fan motor, revolutionized cleaning, making him quit his job and open the Electric Suction Sweeper Company.
- Persistence and Innovation (30 words): James Murray Spangler’s dedication to perfecting his vacuum cleaner, even at the cost of his health, led to a breakthrough: “No one was able to get the carpet that clean because they didn’t have a motor-driven brush.”
- Reflection on Technological Progress (5 words): Today, we take technology for granted, but reflecting on the past, the Hercules Vacuum stands as a symbol of exciting innovation in a bygone era.
