Cleaning - other devices

1900 Beater
1910 Ewbank Success carpet sweeper
1923 Besco Brush Mop
1938 Vactric electric floor polisher

c1900

Beater

UK

Simple cane carpet beater. Carpets and rugs were laid over a wall or washing line and beaten to shake out the dust. Used from mid-Victorian period to c1920s. Made redundant by both carpet sweeper and vacuum cleaner. Some more decorative versions were based on Celtic patterns. Beating principle used by Hoover in their 'beats-as-it-sweeps-as-it-cleans' feature from 1926 onwards.

c1910

Ewbank Success

UK

Typical early all-wood sweeper similar to pioneer USA Bissell sweeper. Cord buffer, rubber corner buffers, cast wheels with rubber tyres and steel dust pans. Large decorative transfer badge. Produced until c1939. Price 10/6 in 1911, 2 shillings less than superior 'Royal' model.

1923

Besco Brush Mop

UK

Typical non-electric 'labour-saving' device of 1920s. Copper-finish head with removable/ replaceable mop, slots into head and clamps via wing-nuts. Instructions shown on carton. Design registration and patent date: 1923.

c1938

Vactric

UK Motherwell

Produced c1938 to 1960 (end of Vactric). Typical early floor polsher, scaled down version of commercial polishers: heavy duty, little concession to visual appeal. Three counter-rotating brushes. Early 50s finish: powerful 200watt alloy frame motor, covered in mint-green hammerite stove enamel steel sheath. Chrome-plated motor cap with black rubber guard. Grey hammerite base with thick black rubber guard. Cast alloy pitchfork handle, chrome-plated steel stem with rubber-handle T-bar, switch mounted in centre. Decorative red 'Vactric' badge. Separate power connection to motor. Patent number 449,267 (1936).

c1900 Beater UK Simple cane carpet beater. Carpets and rugs were laid over a wall or washing line and beaten to shake out the dust. Used from mid-Victorian period to c1920s. Made redundant by both carpet sweeper and vacuum cleaner. Some more decorative versions were based on Celtic patterns. Beating principle used by Hoover in their 'beats-as-it-sweeps-as-it-cleans' feature from 1926 onwards.
c1910 Ewbank Success UK Typical early all-wood sweeper similar to pioneer USA Bissell sweeper. Cord buffer, rubber corner buffers, cast wheels with rubber tyres and steel dust pans. Large decorative transfer badge. Produced until c1939. Price 10/6 in 1911, 2 shillings less than superior 'Royal' model.
1923 Besco Brush Mop UK Typical non-electric 'labour-saving' device of 1920s. Copper-finish head with removable/ replaceable mop, slots into head and clamps via wing-nuts. Instructions shown on carton. Design registration and patent date: 1923.
c1938 Vactric UK Motherwell Produced c1938 to 1960 (end of Vactric). Typical early floor polsher, scaled down version of commercial polishers: heavy duty, little concession to visual appeal. Three counter-rotating brushes. Early 50s finish: powerful 200watt alloy frame motor, covered in mint-green hammerite stove enamel steel sheath. Chrome-plated motor cap with black rubber guard. Grey hammerite base with thick black rubber guard. Cast alloy pitchfork handle, chrome-plated steel stem with rubber-handle T-bar, switch mounted in centre. Decorative red 'Vactric' badge. Separate power connection to motor. Patent number 449,267 (1936).