According to Robert Taber, co-founder of the Vacuum Cleaners Collectors Club, the first vacuum cleaner was invented in 1869.  Powered by a hand crank, it was awkward to use and never caught on.  Electric vacuum cleaners were introduced in the early 20th century.  They were sold initially as a means of preventing disease, because it was believed that germs lived in dust.  Although it soon it became clear that this was not how germs were transmitted, their popularity grew rapidly as their virtues as housecleaning tools were recognized.

The technology of the vacuum cleaner is relatively simple.  A fan sucks air through a filter bag, depositing the dust in the bag.  In some models a set of brushes in the head of the device beats the rug or carpet to stir up the air and allow deeper cleaning.  Recent advances have focused on improving suction, reducing weight, and increasing filtration in order to keep small dust particles from returning to the air.  Future directions for vacuum cleaner technology include cordless models that operate with rechargeable batteries and can be carried like a backpack and robotic devices (one of which was recently unveiled by Electrolux) that sense their environment and operate autonomously.

Links:
= highly recommended

Vacuum cleaner information from VacWeb.com.  Everything you always wanted to know about vacuum cleaners and more.  Resources, history, companies, shops, and references.  This site even includes a page of vacuum cleaner humor (a Dave Barry column).

Stark's Museum of Vacuum Cleaners.  Karl Anderson, a self-described "young gentleman" of Portland, Oregon, and vacuum cleaner aficionado, smuggled a camera inside Stark's Museum, which is apparently run by a vacuum cleaner manufacturer of the same name.  His site presents a number of interesting photographs, including a Regina dating back to 1890.

The Cyberspace Vacuum Cleaner Museum.  Unlike Stark's, this one seems to live exclusively on the web.  It was put together by Charlie Lester of Hollywood, California. In addition to the museum, which is definitely worth a visit, there is also a profile of Stan Kann, who has evidently been obsessed with vacuum cleaners since his early childhood, prepared by Lester for the Fall/Winter 1996 issue of the Vacuum Cleaner Collector’s Club News.  Links to other vacuum cleaner pages as well as a rather eclectic assortment of other pages put together by Lester can be found on his home page.

David D. Kirkpatrick, "Think Tank:  The Ultimate Victory of Vacuum Cleaners," The New York Times, April 14, 2001.  Based largely on an interview with Robert Kravitz, vice president of site content for JanCentral.com, an e-marketplace for the janitorial service and supply business and an authority on vacuum cleaners. 

Order Robert J. Kravitz's book, The Janitorial Contractor's Bible, from Amazon.com.

Milestones in vacuum cleaner history from Electrolux, one of the best-known manufacturers. Don't miss their vacuum cleaner cars.

Order "Vincent Vacuum" books for kids.  The collection includes Vincent Vacuum Goes to the Repair Shop:  "One day while trying to vacuum the rug, Vincent's motor explodes!  Nicholas and his mother take Vincent to a scary repair shop.  Will he be all right?"  $5 each, including shipping and handling.  Or buy all 10, plus a Vincent beanbag toy for only $45.

History of the Bissell Company, a manufacturer whose first plant, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, dates back to 1883.

"History of Household Technology," an excellent bibliography from the U.S. Library of Congress.