The first vacuum cleaner was invented by Daniel Hess in 1860. Early Vacuum cleaners were hand operated and involved the use of bellows. By early 1900, gasoline and electric powered Vacuum cleaners began to be developed. Vacuum cleaners remained a luxury item until shortly after World War II when their use became widespread. Click on the links below to view some patents of note regarding the development of the Vacuum Cleaner.
Invention Filing Date Patent (PDF)
Carpet Sweeper 06/10/1860 Download
(No. 29,077 to D. Hess)
Improved Sweeping Machine 06/08/1869 Download
(No. 91,145 to I. McGaffey)
Improvement in Carpet Sweepers 12/03/1877 Download
(No. 199,612 to M. Bissell)
Pneumatic Carpet Renovator 11/14/1898 Download
(No. 634,042 to J. Thurman)
Improvements relating to the Extraction of Dust 08/30/1901 Download
from Carpets and other Materials
(GB No. 17,433 to H. Booth)
Separator for Apparatus for removing Dust 02/08/1902 Download
(No. 739,263 to D. Kenney)
Improvements in Vacuum Apparatus for Removing 10/20/1905 Download
Dust from Carpets and for other like purposes
(GB No. 21,304 to W. Griffiths)
Dust Removing Apparatus 10/31/1906 Download
(No. 867,006 to H. Bogenschild)
Carpet Sweeper and Cleaner 09/14/1907 Download
(No. 889,823 to J. Spangler)