In the 1930s, a vacuum cleaner known as the Hercules was considered a cutting-edge appliance. This particular model, with its flask-like appearance and crocodile skin covering, was a luxury item, especially during the economic struggles of the Great Depression. It’s fascinating to think about how such an innovative product at that time is vastly different from the cleaning technologies we use today. For example, as I write, I’m watching my Roomba® autonomously clean the floor, a task once performed by a machine as elaborate as the Hercules.

The journey of vacuum cleaners began long before the Hercules. The humble broom wasn’t perfected until 1797…………..