The writer wishes to acknowledge the aid received from the various manufacturers in furnishing illustrations and data on their machines, to Messrs. Ewing & Ewing and Prof. Sidney A. Reeve for data on tests made by Prof. Reeve and used in defending the Kenney basic patent.
In analyzing the results of his tests and observations, the writer has endeavored to put his own conclusions into concrete form for the use of the consulting engineer and has not entered into the problems to be encountered in the design and manufacture of the various forms of apparatus.
CHAPTER I.
History of Mechanical Cleaning.
Early Attempts.
—Whenever machinery has been introduced to assist or replace manual labor, the earlier attempts have been in imitating the tools formerly used by man. As the earliest mechanically-propelled carriages were mechanical walking machines, the earliest steamboats mechanical rowing machines, and the earliest flying machines mechanical birds, so were the earliest mechanical cleaners in the form of mechanical brooms.
These mechanical brooms were introduced about 1880 and took the form of the well-known street sweeper, with a large circular brush mounted on a four-wheeled cart and rotated by means of gearing driven from the wheels, the propelling power being the horses which drew the machine.
This machine at once made itself unpopular with the residents of the streets cleaned on account of its great activity in stirring up dust, because the streets were swept dry. This trouble was later overcome to a considerable extent by sprinkling the streets before sweeping, but only at a sacrifice in efficiency of cleaning, especially where such uneven surfaces as cobble or medina stone blocks formed the surface of the roadway. Various attachments were added to reduce this dust nuisance, but none has apparently been successful, as we see these machines in their original form in use today.
Almost simultaneously with the introduction of the street sweeper came its counterpart, the carpet sweeper, with a similar but smaller brush, enclosed in a wood and metal case, the brush being driven by friction from the wheels supporting the box and the power for operation being derived from the person who pushed the machine along the floor.
This machine has not been modified to any great extent during the thirty odd years of its existence. It is today in practically its original form, and is doing no better work than when first introduced. This form of mechanical cleaner occupied the field of household cleaning for nearly twenty years without a rival, during which time it won its way into the hearts and hands of many housekeepers in this and other countries.