Invention

• Vacuum cleaners were invented in 1869 by a man named Ives McGaffney, although they did not catch on until 1876, when Melville Bissell and his wife needed to clean up sawdust pieces on their carpet. There are still Bissell vacuum cleaners sold to this day. Another popular brand was invented by W.H. Hoover, who refined the idea of having an electric vacuum that plugs into the wall. By the turn of the century, housewives were flocking to stores to buy the newest product for housecleaning: the vacuum.
  
  

Function

• Vacuums generally use air pressure to suck up dust and debris from carpeting. Vacuums have small pumps that lower the pressure inside the vacuum tube, which forces air into the canister or bag. The best types of vacuums have a HEPA filter, which filters out tiny particles. These types of filters are good for allergy sufferers, since they collect dust mites and other irritants.
  
  

Styles

• There are several styles of vacuum cleaners, including upright, bagless, stick vacuums and wet vacuums. Upright vacuums are the most common, and have either a removable bag or canister that can be cleaned regularly. Bagless vacuums are popular, because it's easy to clean the canister when it's full. Stick vacuums are inexpensive and lightweight. They cannot clean a thick carpet very well, but they are good for hardwood, tile and linoleum floors. Wet vacuums can clean up water and spills on the floor.
  
  

Significance

• Vacuums are a part of most households. They range in price to fit every budget. One reason why there's a vacuum in every household is that rugs are more commonplace in homes. They are generally low-pile, which is easy for vacuums to clean. Carpets have spawned their own multimillion-dollar empire because of vacuum cleaners. There are now hundreds of products for cleaning carpets and installing carpets.