What's the deal with upright vacuums?
- Lynx Master
- Sep 7
- 2 min read
The History and Development of Upright and Dual Motor Upright Vacuums
Upright and dual motor upright vacuum cleaners have a fascinating history and continue to be popular in certain countries for specific reasons.
History and Development of the Upright Vacuum
The Beginning: The concept of the upright vacuum cleaner emerged in the early 20th century. The pioneer was James Murray Spangler, a janitor in a department store in Ohio, USA. Inspired by his chronic cough caused by dust at work, he assembled an old fan motor, a soap box, and a pillowcase to create the first portable electric vacuum cleaner in 1907.
Hoover's Role: Shortly after, Spangler sold the patent to his relative, William Henry Hoover. Hoover recognized the invention's potential and founded the Hoover company in 1908. He began producing and selling the first commercial upright vacuum cleaner, the "Model O," which became extremely popular in the United States and eventually a symbol of vacuum cleaners. (The word "Hoover" even became a verb for vacuuming in some countries.)
Later Developments: Upright vacuums have undergone continuous development, including the use of more powerful motors, the addition of a rotating brush at the base to sweep debris from carpets, the introduction of bagged and later bagless systems, and the use of HEPA filters to capture fine dust for better health.
What are Dual Motor Upright Vacuums and How Did They Develop?
A standard upright vacuum cleaner has a single motor that both creates suction and drives the rotating brush at the head. A Dual Motor Upright vacuum, however, separates these functions by using two motors:
The first motor is responsible for creating suction.
The second motor powers the rotating brush (the brush roll) at the vacuum head independently.
This development was made to increase cleaning efficiency, especially on carpets. When the brush roll works harder to agitate and dislodge debris, the suction motor is unaffected, ensuring consistent and maximum suction power.
Popular Countries and the Reasons Why
Upright vacuum cleaners are particularly popular in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as other countries in North America and Europe with similar lifestyles. The main reasons are:
Usage on Carpets: Most homes in these countries feature wall-to-wall carpeting, and upright vacuums are specifically designed to clean carpets. Their rotating brushes can effectively dislodge and pick up embedded dirt and pet hair, which other vacuum types cannot do as well.
Powerful Suction: Generally, upright vacuums have high suction power and a larger size, allowing for quick and efficient cleaning of large areas. This makes them ideal for spacious homes.
Cultural Heritage: Since Hoover, the pioneer of this vacuum type, was an American company, Americans and Britons grew up with and became accustomed to this vacuum style. It has become a standard household appliance.
Convenient Storage: Despite their size, their vertical design takes up less storage space compared to canister vacuums and is convenient to use immediately.
In contrast, countries in Asia and parts of Europe, such as Germany and Scandinavia, tend to prefer canister vacuums. This is because homes there are often smaller, and hard floors are more common than carpets, requiring a more flexible vacuum to reach tight spaces.
