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.