Whangārei Museum has some old-fashioned carpet beaters in its collection, but also a range of more recent household devices including vacuum cleaners, this one from the 1940s. Photo / Supplied
Whangārei Museum has some old-fashioned carpet beaters in its collection, but also a range of more recent household devices including vacuum cleaners, this one from the 1940s. Photo / Supplied
Museums are much like homes when it comes to cleaning with store rooms requiring constant attention in the pursuit of keeping dust to a minimum, floors cleaned and insects controlled.
This task has been made simpler with the use of a good vacuum cleaner.
Before vacuum cleaners existed, people used straw brooms, carpet sweepers or had to take their carpets outside to beat the dirt out of them.
A century or so later things have changed dramatically with an enormous range of domestic and commercial vacuum cleaners on the market to suit every need.
Not only does the Whangārei Museum have some old-fashioned carpet beaters in their collection, but also a range of more recent household cleaning devices including vacuum cleaners covering decades.
An advertisement for a Hoover in Farmers Magazine, July 1955, (1994.160.1). Photo / Supplied
One donor who could appreciate a reliable and well-made vacuum cleaner was Bruce Bartle who, in 2016, donated a 1940s Hoover vacuum to the Museum.
Initially employed as a meat inspector at the age of 19, Bartle went on to attain numerous qualifications in his chosen vocation - remaining in the meat industry until 1987.
While working as an inspector, Bartle's job involved travelling around Northland visiting commercial premises where meat was prepared, reinforcing to staff the need for strict cleanliness and the importance of maintaining high hygiene standards.
Some years later when Bruce purchased his own cleaning business, he realised he was now on the other end of this enforcement.
Due to this career change, Bartle became well acquainted with the manufacture and engineering of a multitude of cleaning apparatus, particularly vacuum cleaners.
The Hoover donated by Bruce Bartle in 2016 (2016.7.1). Photo / Supplied
After Bartle's retirement in 2003, he continued to help the community, becoming involved at the Salvation Army Store as a volunteer cleaner and it was during this role that the store was offered a second-hand Hoover vacuum.
Although in good working order, the vacuum cleaner failed current safety standards and was to be discarded but Bartle recognised the historic significance of the Hoover machine and offered it to Kiwi North.
The first vacuum cleaner, the "Whirlwind", invented in 1868 was one of many manually-operated carpet-cleaners to be produced in the 19th century.
Other innovations that followed were distinctively named "Baby Daisy", "Grand Rapids", Pneumatic Carpet Renovator", "Puffing Billy" and "Domestic Cyclone".
These early contraptions were unattractive, cumbersome and awkward to operate but in 1908, janitor James Spangler, motivated by his asthma attacks created the first upright motorised vacuum cleaner.
An advertisement in NZ Home Journal, Sept 1955, (2012.55.1). Photo / Supplied
William Hoover of Ohio, later bought the patent from Spangler, founding the Electric Suction Sweeper Company.
Hoover's business began to flourish and in the 1930s the company employed an up-and-coming industrial designer to completely redesign Hoover portable cleaners, making them more aesthetically pleasing and streamlined.
From 1941 to 1945, Hoover's company ceased all vacuum cleaner production and converted the factory to support the war effort.
When the war ended production of cleaners resumed and new models were unveiled such as the 1940's Hoover 'Model 612' machine gifted to the Museum.
The Hoover Suction Sweepers were reportedly a "machine that changed the course of history" and as Bartle can attest, with their good design and exceptional durability these machines have lasted the test of time.
■ Natalie Brookland is collection registrar, Whangārei Museum at Kiwi North.
