Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh. Before robot vacuums zipped around our living rooms, inventor Ives W. McGaffey received U.S. Patent No. 91,145 for an “Improved Sweeping-Machine” on this day in1869. It was one of the earliest vacuum cleaners in the United States.
ALT Fig. 1. Ives W. McGaffey Sweeping-Machine. Patented June 8. 1869. No. 91,145. Image of sweeping machine model vacuuming a grey, round rug in front of a green couch on a blue background.