User experience design encompasses aspects of a great many disciplines, including product design, computing, and the psychology of human behavior. Here's a mini ux design analysis of the evolution of one of my favorite products--the vacuum cleaner.

1. EVOLUTION OF THE
ELECTRIC VACUUM
timeline and product analysis
1.2 user experience immersion JOY MARCUS

2. prior to the electric vacuum cleaner...
Early humankind – present:
Broom
Traditional Amish Broom
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Authentic-Amish-Corn-House-
Broom/451057532
1860–present:
Human-powered carpet sweeper
Bissell’s Little Daisy, circa 1910s-1920s
https://www.etsy.com/listing/972371117/bissells-little-daisy-vacu-
um-sweeper?ref=pla_similar_listing_top-6&frs=1
1903:
Gasoline-powered, horse-drawn vacuum
Booth’s Horse-Drawn, gasoline-powered vacuum cleaner, “Puffing
Billy,” circa 1903
https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/every-
day-wonders/invention-vacuum-cleaner

3. 1901
The first electric vacuum cleaner is invented.
In 1901, electric powered vacuum cleaners using suction were simultaneously invented by
two men, British engineer Hubert Cecil Booth and American inventor David T. Kenney1
.
How does this change the user’s experience and interaction in removing dirt and dust?
Rather than beating the dust of a carpet outdoors or use a carpet sweeper (good for
removing surface dirt but not embedded particles), the electric vacuum offered the promise
of accomplishing the chore of removing dirt and dust more efficiently than dragging carpets
outdoors to be beaten and constant sweeping. The reality was that the appliances had less
than desirable suction and were very heavy.
1905
The first portable electric vacuum cleaner is invented.
Walter Griffiths invented the first vacuum cleaning device that was light enough for one person
to carry1
. Tzar Nicholas II of Russia, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and a swank department
store in London were all early adopters and helped to popularize the device.
How does this change the user’s experience and interaction with the vacuum?
The promise of making the chore easier is introduced. Now women can operate the device
and remove dirt and dust unassisted. Also, the allure of new technology raises the mundane
act of cleaning to being a part of the privileged few who can either afford the vacuum or who
work for a household who can afford it2
.
Tom Gasko, vacuum repairman extraordinare and collector of 600
vacuum cleaners, pictured above with an early 1900s electric vacuum,
the Royal Cleaner. It still works!
Joy
Marcus’
personal
photo
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_cleaner
2 https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/everyday-wonders/invention-vacuum-cleaner

4. 1915
More agile vacuums are offered
Hoover and Electrolux offer smaller, more portable electric vacuum cleaners made possible by
the small motor invented by Hamilton and Beach in 1910.2
How does this change the user’s experience and interaction with the vacuum?
Easier than previous versions to use and move, the smaller versions are a big improvement in
saving energy and time, a boost to the domestic household staff market.
1920
The first disposable bag
The Air-Way Corporation of Toledo, Ohio became the first company to invent and
manufacture the first paper dust bag for vacuum cleaners.3
How does this change the user’s experience and interaction with the vacuum?
Prior to this innovation, emptying the dust out from a fabric bag meant that the emptier likely
got covered in what was just removed from all the carpets. Then the bag had to be washed,
an equally unpleasant experience. The removable bag was another incremental improvement
that made using the vacuum more appealing to use.
Air-Way upright vacuum cleaner, circa 1930
https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co49093/airway-vacuum-cleaner-c-1930
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_cleaner
2 http://www.vacuumcleanerhistory.com/vacuum-cleaner-development/timeline-of-vacuum-cleaners/
3 http://airwayvac.com/about.html

5. 1921
Electrolux has its first best seller
In Europe, Electrolux had been manufacturing cannister vacuums for the luxury market. In 1921,
it produced its first mass seller, the Lux Model V. Horizontally oriented and lighter in weight than
its old floor cannisters, the new model offered floor runners (like ice skates for your vacuum) that
made it easy to slide the vacuum along. A strap for carrying the unit was also included.2
How does this change the user’s experience and interaction with the vacuum?
The user would have had same positive experience with fine craftsmanship and engineering
as the larger floor units. Plus, this model would have a new freedom of mobility with the lighter
weight, glide mobility and optional shoulder strap.
1926
Hoover pioneers the aluminum body, on/off switch
and agitator brushroll
The Hoover vacuum model 700 featured an aluminum body, an on/off switch and an agitator
brushroll, which used metal beater strips to vibrate the carpet while the suction removed the dirt.¹
How does this change the user’s experience and interaction with the vacuum?
The more lightweight model was even easier to manipulate, and the new agitator brush roll made
the job of removing dirt and dust even better. Advertisements featured a modern women in a
flapper dress using the appliance1
, which also may have enhanced the user’s perception of the
experience.
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_cleaner
2 https://www.electroluxgroup.com/en/a-century-of-cutting-edge-design-26757/
The Hoover model 700 circa 1926
The Electrolux Model V, 1921
https://www.electroluxgroup.com/en/a-century-of-cutting-edge-
design-26757/
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/
nmah_1065670

6. 1969
The first self-propelled vacuum
“Hoover releases the model 1170 Dial-A-Matic, the first self-propelled vacuum cleaner. It could
be directed through the touch of a single finger. Good thing, too—it was really heavy.”1
The
“powerdrive” self propulsion system used a system of gears, wheels and belts to and used its
own power going forwards and backwards.
How does this change the user’s experience and interaction with the vacuum?
Reportedly, the powerdrive system was so efficient that the user could push the machine forward
with a single finger. The technology remains popular and is used by Hoover and others today.
1979
The Dustbuster
The Dustbuster from Black and Decker was the first hand-held cordless vacuum on the market.
Over a million were sold in the year they were introduced, a four-fold increase over all sales of
corded handhelds in the previous year.2
How does this change the user’s experience and interaction with the vacuum?
The ability to vacuum up messes without dragging a heavy unit and having to deal with cords
was a consumer sensation. The charging base unit could be mounted on a wall, making the user
experience superior to any other small mess cleanup tool. The only downsides: The user might
have to contend with a unit that was left off the charger, and the lack of a disposable bag could
result in a lot of uncontrolled dust if not carefully dumped.
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hoover_Company
2 https://www.jonessewandvac.com/vacuums/history-of-vacuums/
Dustbuster, 1969
https://www.jonessewandvac.com/vacuums/
history-of-vacuums/
The Hoover model 1170 ad
https://www.vintage-adventures.com/vintage-home-appliance-furnishings-
ads/5038-1967-hoover-vacuum-ad-a-new-hoover-appliance.html

7. 1986
The bagless vacuum
Engineer James Dyson invented the Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner in response to his frustration
in using a Hoover. He observed that the unit lost suction after repeated use. He was inspired by cyclonic
separation, a technology used to clean industrial saw mills.1
How does this change the user’s experience and interaction with the vacuum?
Users report amazing suction with the Dyson. The strength of the suction, combined with beautiful product
design, lively colors, and easy maneuverability make this product a great user experience for many. The
downsides for some include the weight of the unit and the plastic parts.
1997
The first autonomous robot vacuum
The Electrolux Trilobite is named for an ancient beetle-like bug that fed on debris from the ocean floor.
The vacuum is able to map rooms, avoid crashing into objects and—best of all—can navigate back to its
charging unit.
How does this change the user’s experience and interaction with the vacuum?
A largely effortless vacuuming experience, the 1997 Trilobite freed the user almost entirely from the need to
vacuum, aside from dumping its collection tray and cleaning and maintaining the unit. As other brands and
models have followed with their own robot vacuums, the user experience can vary greatly. Some brands
and models can yield a less successful user experience, such as short battery life, poor room coverage,
problems connecting to wifi, and the inability to distinguish wet messes and spreading them around a room,
so research is important to select the product that will yield the best experience for the budget.
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_cleaner
2 https://www.jonessewandvac.com/vacuums/history-of-vacuums/
Electrolux Trilobite, 1997
https://www.jonessewandvac.com/
vacuums/history-of-vacuums/
The Dyson Dual Cyclone, 1986
By
Arpingstone
-
Own
work,
Public
Domain,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.
php?curid=66714

8. REFERENCES
Air-Way Corporation
http://airwayvac.com/about.html
Electrolux Group
https://www.electroluxgroup.com/en/a-century-of-cutting-edge-design-26757/
History of Vacuums
https://www.jonessewandvac.com/vacuums/history-of-vacuums/
The Hoover Company
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hoover_Company
Hoover Vacuum Model 700
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1065670
The Invention of the Vacuum Cleaner, from Horse-Drawn to High-Tech
https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/everyday-wonders/invention-vacuum-cleaner
Swept Away: Falling for the Man with 600 Vacuums
https://storycorps.org/stories/swept-away-falling-for-the-man-with-600-vacuums/?fbclid=IwAR0TRrHy_5PQFPBKJdolEF7YAWeP3YNneS93IXXnAr
9dJxgTjF2nNks2ExQ
Vacuum Cleaner Timeline
http://www.vacuumcleanerhistory.com/vacuum-cleaner-development/timeline-of-vacuum-cleaners/
Wikipedia’s Vacuum History
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_cleaner