The vacuum has an extensive history of inventions, flops, and reinventions. Several engineers tried their hands at solving the problem of getting dirt off the floor. Two key players in the history of the vacuum are James Spangler and William Hoover.

James Spangler, not an engineer but a janitor from Canton, Ohio, was troubled by a chronic cough. He felt it was the result of the sweeper he was using to clean the floor of the department store where he worked. It kicked up dirt into the air where he was working.

Spangler rigged an old fan motor up to a soap box he had stapled to a broom handle. To collect the dust that the machine kicked up, he attached a pillow case as well. It was the first simultaneously portable and electric vacuum cleaner.

Later, Spangler developed a cloth filter bag and cleaning attachments, the first to come up with these ideas. His patent followed in 1908. From there, he started the Electric Suction Sweeper Company to sell his machines.

His cousin’s husband, William Hoover, started the Hoover Company and bought Spangler’s patent rights. Spangler continued to design for the Hoover Company and William Hoover was the financial backer. The duo hit success.

Hoover developed a great marketing plan, the 10-day free in-home trial, launching the fledgling company into history. Today, Hoover is one of the best-known names in vacuum sales and it all started with a janitor who was fed up with a sweeper.

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A vacuum, as we all know, is a machine that uses suction to extract dirt and debris from floors, upholstery, and drapes. However, the machine considered the first motorized vacuum actually was not a vacuum by that definition.

The first floor-cleaning invention by John Thurman was a horse-drawn system that he took door to door in St. Louis. In 1903, the $4 price of his services was actually quite expensive. But, people paid to have him come clean their floors anyway.

Thurman developed a gasoline-powered vacuum in 1899, patented on October 3rd of that year. It used compressed air to blast away the dirt.

In 1906, Thurman got even more high-tech with his central cleaning system, installed into people’s homes, that also used compressed air to blow dirt into a receptacle. What is interesting is that the machine did not, in essence, create a vacuum. No suction at all led to a ruling on a patent litigation that Thurman did not have claim to the invention of the motorized vacuum cleaner as his was not truly a vacuum.

That being said, for his time Thurman was ahead of the rest, offering homeowners a new way to clean their floors. And without his advancements in floor-cleaning technology driving the competition onward, it is likely that we would not have progressed as far as we have today in vacuum technology.

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The vacuum cleaner has come a long way from where it began. The first machine that remotely resembled a vacuum was called a “sweeping machine,” invented by Ives McGaffey. It was an unwieldy device that had to be cranked while pushing it around.

The next version was a horse-drawn gasoline-powered floor-cleaning device. Unlike a vacuum, however, it used pressurized air to blast dirt into a receptacle. The inventor, John Thurman, later lost a patent lawsuit because his device was not a “vacuum” but an air-blowing machine.

Perhaps the first true motorized vacuum was designed by a man named Hubert Cecil Booth. Booth was a British engineer who, perhaps inspired by John Thurman’s work, developed a horse-drawn machine. However, Booth’s was very different from Thurman’s.

Booth’s machine actually vacuumed (sucked up) dirt from the floor. It was a very large machine driven by petrol. The machine had long hoses that were pulled in through the windows of a home to vacuum each room.

The machine was not nearly as efficient as today’s vacuums, but it worked to some degree. He demonstrated his machine in a restaurant the year he got his patent, 1901, and amazed onlookers as the machine sucked up dirt. Today, central vacuum systems and upright vacuums alike owe a nod to the invention of Hubert Cecil Booth.

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Do you ever stop and think about the many devices you use in your home every day? Have you ever considered what went into the invention, development, and fine-tuning of these products? The vacuum is a rather complex machine, when you think about it, with so many parts all working in concert to clean your floor.

Today, we have wind tunnel vacuums, handhelds, and even a robot vacuum that cleans the floor for you while you get something else done. There are decorative colored cone vacuums you can keep out in the room of your choice. And you can spend anywhere from $30 to $2,000 on a variety of different makes and models.

It all had to start somewhere. Vacuum owners of today owe a nod of thanks to the man who got us going with the first patented vacuum. In 1869, Ives W. McGaffey was issued a patent for his “sweeping machine.”

Made of wood and canvas, mainly, the machine had a hand-operated fan that you had to crank while pushing the machine across the floor. The American Carpet Cleaning Company, founded by McGaffey, produced the machine called “Whirlwind.”

As most of these old vacuums were sold in and around Chicago, the majority were wiped out in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Of the two known Whirlwinds to survive, one is located in the Hoover Historical Center for public viewing.

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Looking for a central vacuum hose or hose kit? Check out our fit all central vacuum hose by GV. It replaces any standard central vacuum hose. Read More

A question we get a lot at Great Vacs is "you have a lot of Kirby vacuums listed at different prices, what is the difference?" In this article we are going to cover price differences and how to pick the Kirby vacuum that is perfect for your family. Read More

Infrared heaters have many benefits to traditional types of benefits including at the top of the list energy efficiency. So many people that have these heaters have gotten rid of their old space heaters and swear by the infrared styles. Here are the top advantages to owning the infrared heating units: Read More

Infrared heaters are becoming a common household item around the country. They have many benefits and features that compete against traditional style space heaters. Also, in a time where money is tight for many families and energy efficiency is crucial, these heaters are gaining popularity in the marketplace. Read More

If you are a Kirby vacuum owner you know how well the Kirby cleans. It can be irritating when the vacuum does not work as well as it normally does. If you need to repair a component in the cleaning tool for enhanced performance, you will need to be careful not to break anything or to cause more damage to the unit. Read More

Kirby vacuum owners have purchased a high quality vacuum system in hopes of getting the best quality cleaning and product life value for their hard earned money. Without continued and proper maintenance even top of the line vacuums can lose their amazing cleaning abilities. Read More

If you have appliances that use electricity in your home you are at risk for an electrical fire. These types of fires can be common and can occur with many appliances that we use everyday including mixers, blow dryers, lamps and even Rainbow vacuums. Read More

The summer months are often months for home repair. Many of us tend to forget about any problems we had with keeping the home warm during the winter. But, this is the optimal time to fix and to improve heating efficiency before the snow is back. Read More

Do you have a Kirby Sentria and you need more vacuum bags? They are not hard to find, but you need to know where to look for them. They are high quality bags that are made for filtering particles and keeping them in the bag. Read More

Hardwood floors are beautiful. But, they are often mistaken as low maintenance. Hardwood floors can collect dust, dirt and pet hair as fast as carpet can. It can be a challenge to clean this type of flooring if you don’t have the right cleaning tools. Read More

Any homeowner has experienced the annoyance of a frayed electric cord. These can be found on common household items such as laptops, lamps, kitchen appliances and even Rainbow Vacuums. Depending on the severity of the fraying, they can usually be fixed. Read More

We all struggle with keeping our home not only looking clean, but smelling fresh. Odors are prominent in most households. They come from dampness, cooking, pets, dirty shoes, laundry and many other everyday, unavoidable occurrences. Keeping a carpet smelling good will ultimately help a household to smell fresh. Read More

Hi this is Dustin at Great Vacs. We just got a email from Kim who was asking about the differences between the Hoover and GV back pack vacuum and wondered which one was best. I thought that was such a great question I decided to make a blog post out of it :) So this is about some of the differences between the Hoover and GV back pack vacuums. Read More

Are you considering an infrared heater for a space in your home? These heaters are relatively new to the marketplace and it can be difficult to choose the right heater for your needs. We have some suggestions for you based on the need and type of space that you will be placing your heater. Read More

Infrared heaters are great for efficient heating and saving energy. But, they are made for specific purposes and are not meant to be replacements for central heating units. There are different models available that are capable of heating larger spaces, but their heating styles are similar. Read More

Kirby vacuums are all slightly different to use than regular, ordinary vacuums. The 2000 limited edition has a high tech driving feature that self propels the unit to drive on floors and other surface areas. This can be tricky to use during the first time for those that have only used the push variety of vacuums. But it is quite simple and a convenience factor once you get the hang of it. Here are some step-by-step directions for how to use this specific Kirby: Read More

If you own a Kirby Vacuum you probably already know that they can have a lifespan of more than 25 years. But, the vacuum must be maintained and cared for properly for it to last for years and maintain its cleaning ability. There are 3 important steps that should be followed to care for your Kirby throughout the years. Read More

Every mechanical appliance has issues that can be easily fixed by simple troubleshooting. The Rainbow vacuum is no exception. It has been around since 1929 and although it’s design has been updated incredibly well; there are still a few issues that can pop up. Here are a few of the most common issues that can be fixed quickly. Read More

Rainbow vacuums work incredibly well at collecting and trapping dirt and dust. Some vacuums of lesser quality simply push the dirt around a home, while others of better quality are only able to capture a percentage of dirt in their bags. Rainbow models work well by collecting the debris in a water tank. Read More

Kirby is a popular high-end vacuum. It really could be defined as a cleaning machine because it is capable of doing much more than simply vacuuming. Most models come with a 13-tool caddy. These tools include attachments to clean in corners of small spaces and a crush proof hose. Read More

Don’t heat a large space when you don’t have to. Infrared space heaters are exceptional for heating spaces in large areas such as garages and basements. These heaters will add heat immediately to a specific area, much faster and more efficiently than a regular space heater. Read More

There are few reasons that you may need to dissemble your Rainbow E-Series vacuum. They include regular maintenance, minor repair and regular basin cleaning. The design of this series allows for relatively simple steps to taking apart the vacuum. The first time you do this, it may be slightly challenging. But, after the first time you have done this, it will be easy to disassemble and reassemble the unit. Read More

Infrared heaters are gaining popularity fast. They are different than traditional heaters and salesmen and owners of these heaters alike will tell you that they are better. This may leave you asking the question, “Why are they better and the preferred space heater?” We have gathered some of the most frequently asked questions about these heaters for you. Read More

A quartz infrared heater is one of the safest units available today. They do not get hot on the outside of the unit, which is important for anyone. Bumping into or touching a heater that gets hot can result in burns. This is especially important for households with pets and children. Read More

If you are in the market for a new space heater, you may have noticed that there is now a large market of infrared heaters in competition with the traditional variety. Before making a decision on what type of heater to purchase, it is important to understand the differences of the heater types. Read More

A Kirby vacuum is an investment. The cost is noticeably higher for a high quality vacuum than a brand that can be purchased at a big box store. Why do so many people swear by their pricey cleaning machines and what benefits can you expect when purchasing one of your own? Read More

Which is the best filter queen model? Hi this is Dustin at Great Vacs and I just got this email from a customer. "Hi, I'm looking at a couple of the Filter Queen Vacuums that you have...... I am a serious buyer & would like your professional opinion on which one to get. I want the strongest motor, most durable, etc. I buy a new vacuum seems like every 1-2 years, I'm sick of it, so I'm going to break down & spend more money, I just don't want to have any problems. My Husbands Mom swore by her Filter Queen, so I'm going to take her word for it, I just need help choosing because I don't know anything about Filter Queen. Also, how often do the filters need changed & how much do they cost? How much do the bags cost & how many in a package? Is there any other maintenance issues I should know about? Thanks for any HONEST help you can offer before I make a choice." This was my response to her and I am posting it here to help other people with the same questions. Read More

If you have noticed a loud noise, if your Kirby is difficult to push or it is not cleaning well, troubleshoot for a roller problem. Turn your vacuum off and unplug the cord. Push down the adjustment lever and take off the hood. Now you will be able to get to the area that holds the belt. Check the belt for any wear or extreme tear. A stretched out belt can cause these issues as well and they are easy to replace. Read More

A zippbrush is an attachment for a Kirby vacuum that is very useful for a variety of tasks. This is one of the most popular and requested attachments for any model. Most people use this for deep spring-cleaning and regular weekly cleanings in their homes. Read More

There are a few different ways to see how a rainbow vacuum works. Household and online demos can help you to visualize exactly how all of the high quality components work together to create the machine. Read More

There are many benefits to owning a Rainbow vacuum. Owners of these high quality and efficient cleaners rave about the length of the lifespan and the cleaning power of their favorite household appliance. Read More

There are many benefits to owning an infrared heater. Owners of these heaters will rave about the great technology of their specific models, as well as the designs compared with traditional space heaters. Read More

A high quality vacuum should provide customers with many ways to clean in addition to cleaning dirt from carpeted areas. A Rainbow vacuum works well for spring cleaning and other regular household cleaning projects, such as dusting. Read More

Many people choose to own a Rainbow vacuum because they are known to be high quality and to have incredible life spans with great cleaning efficiency. But, similar to other high quality items, the vacuum must be maintained to work well. Read More

Replacing an infrared heater bulb is a simple task. You should expect the first bulb replacement to take much longer than future replacements as you learn the process for the first time. Read More

Infrared heaters that are made of quartz work differently than convection heaters. They heat by using an infrared radiation method. This works by the heater radiating heat with waves of energy with high concentration. This creates a quieter heat because a fan is not needed. The heat from a quartz heater is also more directed to an area in the room. This is important in cold corners or basement areas where the unit is being used. Read More

The lifespan and the cleaning power of a Kirby vacuum can be improved greatly with the proper maintenance. The maintenance types will depend on the age and the model of the specific vacuum that one owns. Read More

Installing a new belt on a Kirby Vacuum is one of the basic elements of regular vacuum maintenance. By maintaining a vacuum properly, the life span of the vacuum and the efficiency of the cleaning strength will be improved significantly. Read More

A high quality vacuum will include a variety of features in addition to regular carpet vacuuming. One of these fantastic features that is included with many Kirby Vacuum models as an add-on is the carpet shampooer attachment. Read More

Infrared heaters are becoming more common and popular. They have many features that make them strong competitors against traditional type heaters. Read More

The Rainbow vacuum aquamate is a tool that transforms the rainbow into a carpet shampooing cleaner. It is very popular and well reviewed by consumers. Read More

When considering a purchase of a high quality, high-ticket price item it is important to understand the benefits and history of the item. There are several frequently asked questions regarding Rainbow Vacuums that we would love to answer for anyone who is looking for this information. Read More

If you are in the market for a Rainbow vacuum or if you already own one it is important to understand what features your model includes and how those particular features work. Read More

There are several benefits to owning an infrared heater. They are more energy efficient than most heaters, they do not dry out the air like other heaters and they work well in cold areas in the home and more. Read More

There are so many reasons to own a Kirby vacuum. If you have looked at the reviews of this brand you will find that there are hundreds of owners that will never buy anything else in their lifetime. They swear by their brand and love it’s cleaning power. These are the top six reasons why. Read More

If you are in the market for a new vacuum, you will want to look at the reviews of every brand or model that you are considering. A Kirby vacuum is built to last for decades and will be a purchase that you will have in your household for a significant amount of time. Read More

You must first consider what you are going to use your vacuum cleaner for. Are you looking to clean carpet or do you want a vacuum that can clean more such as hardwood floors, tile and drapes? If you want attachments you may want to look into a Rainbow vacuum cleaner. Read More

One of the most raved about tools that can be used with a Rainbow vacuum is an upholstery attachment. An upholstery attachment is used to gently clean couches, chairs and other furniture as well as drapes and window covers. Read More

When you are planning on investing in a new vacuum cleaner you should understand the features and attachments available. Rainbow vacuums come in a variety of models that offer the best in quality features. Read More

Are you considering investing in a new vacuum cleaner for you home? A Rainbow vacuum cleaner is a considerable investment as they cost more than a vacuum purchased at a big box store that will have a much shorter lifespan. When buying a vacuum such as a Rainbow, you won’t have to worry about purchasing another for many, many years. Read More

Infrared heaters may be difficult to move around a room for elderly or smaller persons. Many models, for instance the New Comfort portable heater can be equipped with easy to roll wheels that lock in place when they have moved to the appropriate space. Read More

Have you heard of infrared heaters and wanted to learn more information about them? They use some of today’s most innovative technology to create a heating component that helps to save energy and warm cool places in the home. Read More

Many appliances are currently on the market that help to reduce energy use. You can find light bulbs, washers and dryers, vacuums and infrared heaters that will save you money every month on your utility costs. Read More

If a family member or a friend that is visiting is allergic to animals, your house must remain as fur and dander free as possible. The best vacuums to help you to achieve a clean and dust free home contain HEPA filters. Many brands, such as Rainbow Vacuum carry this model. Read More

The amount of energy we use on a daily basis contributes to our daily carbon footprint. It is important to understand how with will affect the environment and our future generations. But, it can be simple to create a new lifestyle using products that are more energy efficient such as Rainbow Vacuums or light bulbs. Read More

What is a HEPA filter and why do so many people prefer them to regular filters? HEPA filters are highly efficient filters that are used in many airplanes, cars, hospitals and vacuums, such as the Rainbow vacuum.

A regular filter captures only a small percentage of large dust and dirt particles. A HEPA filter is designed to capture the smallest particles of debris.

These particles can contain many substances that are harmful to human health such as dust and dust mite feces that contribute to allergies and other environmental hazards. The introduction of air filters on airplanes has reduced the transference of communicable disease.

Many automobiles now come with HEPA filters. These amazing filters allow for better fuel efficiency in many models. They work by allowing a higher air flow velocity that is crucial in any energy efficient vehicle or consumer product.

High quality vacuum cleaners models, such as the Rainbow vacuum cleaner specific models, contain efficient HEPA filters. These filters are one of the main components in offering customers the best for their purchase.

Since the creation of the HEPA filter in the mid 1940’s, companies have utilized the HEPA system to create the best products available for health standards. Hospitals can remain safe for medical workers when disease runs rampant, thanks to these strong products.

HEPA stands for high articulate particle air. It uses three types of capture techniques to catch the smallest of dust particles. These three techniques include impaction, interception and diffusion. This is much more technical than any other type of filter on the market.

If you are in the market for a new car or a new vacuum, consider the efficiency of models, like the Rainbow Vacuum, that include a HEPA filter. The application of these filters in phenomenal. In today’s world we need to save energy and money. By buying great quality products with a long lifetime, this will help. Also, using products that promote overall good health is important. Poor health can cost lost wages and high health care costs that can exceed beyond our ability to pay. Once you understand how HEPA filters work, you won’t want to go back to another filter.

If you or your children experience symptoms that are found in allergy sufferers, you may consider getting the tools to keep your house virtually dirt and dust free. A good vacuum, such as the Kirby Vacuum, is necessary in this process. Read More

There are several options in these types of shampooers. You can find carpet cleaning machines, such as Rug Doctor carpet cleaners. You can also purchase a high quality Kirby vacuum with a carpet shampooer addition or extension. Read More

Your home will be noticeably more dirty and dusty than other average homes if you have a wood burning stove or fireplace or if you have pets such as dogs or cats. But, if you own and use a Kirby Vacuum during the winter, your house will look cleaner than the average home. Read More

Men and women will both love the durability of a Kirby Vacuum. They are incredibly easy to use in large or small rooms and on stairs with hard to reach areas. The lifetime value of the product is great and it is quite common for owners of these styles of cleaners to boast that they have never had to make a repair. Read More

In this article we will talk about 7 things to look for in a vacuum for your apartment or condo Read More

In this post we are going to talk about what makes a green vacuum and the top brands we think are good for the planet and your wallet. Read More

How to pick a vacuum that is good for the planet AND saves you lots of money as well. Read More

Do you own a 6000 dollar cleaner?

Ever wonder where all those disposable vacuums your buying from the big box stores end up? The land fill.....along with your hard earned cash. So lets talk about it for a second.

If you have been buying your vacuums from a big box store. How many vacuums have you owned in the last 10 years? If your like most people about 4. These vacuums last on average between 2 and 3 years. Ever wonder why they only have a 1 year limited warranty? Most of our customers come from people who are usually in their 30's and 40's and one day come to this realization. The then think about the vacuum their parents had which was made in the US and remember that that vacuum lasted for decades. So say on average those vacuums cost 200 dollars (although lots of people are buying the 400 and up disposable vacuums too). So in 10 years on average you would spend 800 dollars. In 25 years you would have spent 2000 dollars NOT accounting for inflation. If you accounted for inflation I guesstimate that number would be more like 3000 plus as a vacuum will cost more 10 years from now. These vacuums usually cost between 30 to 50 dollars in China are shipped over to the US marked up by a few different people and sold. They are cheap thats why the sell. But guess what they know you will be back in 2 years when it breaks. For another and another. Its a good gig and very profitable. Its not something in good conscience that I can believe in though.

Then consider a good US or German made vacuum. They usually cost about 400 dollars to make and are sold between 600 to 1000 dollars. I have seen lots of these brands that the vacuum is 40 years old and still working great. Think back to your parents vacuum or grandparents how long did it last? Where was it made? So our companies mission was to sell high end vacuums and cleaners thats life can be measured in decades. Bad news for repeat business and not very smart right? Wrong, We focus on doing the right thing and luckily as a result our customers are our best advertisers with referral's. Its kind of like bike's. Have you ever ridden a Huffy brand bike? They are not the worlds best bike. They are heavy and slow. Then you ride a high end brand and instantly you recognize the difference. Its lighter and faster and turns better and shifts smoother. Can you ever go back to the Huffy brand? No way once you have experiences the high end brands your ruined for good and could never go back. Its like that with vacuums once you have a high end vacuum you cant go back as you cant believe how much better they clean and how long they last continues to add to your pocket book vs. seeing it go to the landfill with your disposable vacuum.

My next question is which vacuum cleans better do you think? The one that cost 50 dollars to make or the one that cost 400 dollars to make? Which one do you think is more powerful? Which one will deep clean better? Which one will have sealed joints for improved filtration? Which one do you think will have a real hospital grade HEPA filter in it? Which one will last longer and work better?

So we already talked about how buying a disposable vacuum every few years could cost you about 2000 dollars more. But how much extra in carpet expense are you also paying for? Do you know what kills carpet? Sand and deep dirt that are deep in your carpet and cut the carpet fibers. As you will learn in a later chapter most disposable vacuums should be called sweepers instead of vacuums. As we will cover in a later chapter they are designed in such a way that they just clean the surface and grind much of the sand and dirt deep in your carpet where you cant see it. However most of the high end brands are very good deep cleaners. They are actually designed to pull the deep down dirt that damages your carpet and up and keep your carpet lasting longer. You ever notice that those carpet "trails" occur where everyone walks. Where you can never get the carpet to stand up like it should. What if there was sand deep in the carpet from people walking. What if the sand was cutting carpet fibers and each time you vacuumed they got vacuumed up. Do you think there is less carpet fibers per square foot right there? Is that why the carpet always falls over in those "trails". How many more years of life could you add to your carpet if you used a deep cleaner? How many thousands of dollars would we save on carpet if we used a deep cleaning vacuum to protect that investment? Also many high end vacuums come with carpet shampooers which is an additional savings.

STORY - One time I was showing a high end vacuum to this elderly couple. I walked into the room I was to vacuum and it was a huge room with white plush carpet-. For me showing them a new vacuum that was good news as very few vacuums are powerful enough to deep clean plush carpet. Then I asked what kind of vacuum they use. Hoover they said, even better news why this was practically a guaranteed sale :) Then she brought out the Hoover. It was ancient! Probably about 30 years. I rarely saw them 3 years old let alone 30 years. However this one was from back when they were made in the US. I thought oh easy its a Hoover (usually not deep cleaners) and started showing them the new vacuum. Usually when I just turned on the vacuum that I was showing them the filter would start to get dirty right away and I could tell she loved a clean house. So I turned on the new vacuum and nothing happened. I checked to make sure my deep cleaning vacuum was working right. It was....hmm thats weird. So I started vacuuming...still nothing. Usually I would vacuum a spot 8 x 8 but no dirt was coming up so I vacuumed the entire room (very large) and pulled out the dirty filter and showed it to her. 3 SPECS OF DIRT. She was not impressed (neither was I). I said "Whatever you do dont EVER get rid of that vacuum because they do not make them like they used to." Talk about Return on Investment she probably spent 80 dollars on that vacuum and it was going strong after 30 years.

Those are the kind of vacuums we believe in and sell. Most are made in the US and last 25 plus years and work much better.

Make sure you dont own a 6000 dollar vacuum and instead Buy quality, Buy Once and Buy Right and put the difference in your Kids college fund.

- Dustin Chaffin Manager, GreatVacs.com