I’m Positive You Will Not Know What This Is. Go Ahead And Prove Me Wrong (If You Can)

One thing we can always rely on is change. It’s something that’s unavoidable. People evolve, technology advances, and circumstances shift. Change is simply part of life. Take a moment to reflect on your own life, for instance.

How much has really changed? When it comes to technology, the transformation is hard to ignore. It can be somewhat overwhelming to look back and realize just how far we’ve come. But, on the other hand, it’s also a bit exciting! Take this odd-looking item for example. We bet you won’t be able to guess what it is… Unless you were around in the 1930s, of course. If you do recognize it, kudos to you! It’s certainly a peculiar design, isn’t it? So, can you figure out what this contraption is?

If you don’t know, don’t worry, you’re not alone. But here’s the big reveal! This curious item is actually a 1930s vacuum cleaner called the Hercules. It may look completely different from the vacuums we use today. In fact, as I sit here typing, I’m watching my Roomba® clean my floor. Can you even imagine what life was like back then? What an exciting and innovative machine this must have been for its time! Today, however, we often take for granted how easy our lives have become thanks to technology.

The Hercules vacuum cleaner was a luxurious and stylish item in its time. The version shown above was even covered in crocodile skin, making it a pricey purchase. What made it even more unique was that it was sold during the Great Depression, a time when many families could barely make ends meet, let alone splurge on a luxury item like the Hercules. If you did recognize this vacuum, try showing it to your kids and see if they can guess what it is. They’ll probably be just as clueless as most of us would be!

Did you know the humble broom wasn’t perfected until 1797? A farmer from Massachusetts came up with a better design after watching his wife struggle to sweep the floor. His broom, known as broomcorn, became widely used in households. But, as time went on, people got lazier! New brooms and sweepers came and went until the 1860s when Daniel Hess created the first real vacuum cleaner. His patent described it as “drawing fine dust and dirt through the machine by means of a draft of air.”

Then in 1869, Ives McGaffey from Chicago made his own improvements. His design, however, was a bit harder to use than the regular broom. His patent read: “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, his design didn’t quite catch on.

Many different vacuum cleaner designs were created, but it was James Murray Spangler, a janitor from Canton, Ohio, who truly revolutionized the vacuum. At the age of 60, Spangler worked tirelessly to perfect his design, even though it took a toll on his health. His machine stood out because it was both upright and portable. The device worked well, sucking dirt and blowing it into an attached pillowcase. In 1907, Spangler patented his design and left his janitorial job to found the Electric Suction Sweeper Company.

Spangler’s invention used a ceiling fan motor and paddle blades to create airflow, and a leather belt connected to a rotating brush he had taken from a carpet sweeper. This design was more effective than anything before it because it could clean carpets much better, thanks to the motor-driven brush. The Hoover brand was born after Spangler ran into financial troubles and sold his company to his cousin, Susan Hoover!