06/08/2026
In 1869 (Household Revolution): Cleaner floors became easier when Ives W. McGaffey patented the first early "sweeping machine" (vacuum cleaner) in Chicago.
Dual-Action Labor: The wood and canvas contraption was not motorized. To make it work, you had to turn a hand crank on the handle to spin an internal belt-driven fan while simultaneously pushing the entire heavy unit across the carpet.
The Two-Person Solution: Because it required so much coordination and physical strength, affluent households often hired two people to operate it—one to stand still and vigorously turn the crank, and another to guide the base across the room.
A Fiery End: McGaffey sold the unit commercially through the American Carpet Cleaning Company in Boston for about $25 (a massive luxury at the time). Unfortunately, nearly all the original production models were completely destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Luckily for F and D Home Cleaning clients, I have a more modern version!
