Kicking Up Some Dust

Invention + Promotion = Success!

Poor James Spangler. The Canton, Ohio janitor was facing 1907 with a severe allergy to dust, and more rugs to clean than you could shake a stick at.

Need often leads to creativity, and the wheels began turning in Spangler’s head. Using an electric fan, a soap box, and a pillowcase, Jim made the first viable suction sweeper.

Realizing that others might be interested in his invention, Spangler began manufacturing the sweepers. Inevitably, he met the wife of a prosperous merchant who loved the concept. Her husband, William Hoover, was also a sucker for the idea, and immediately bought the rights to the invention.

Hoover knew the value of marketing properly. Placing a two-page ad offering free home trials, he was deluged by homemakers, whom he referred to local dealers. These dealers were then informed that they would get a commission for every sale made. If the machines were returned, the dealer could keep them as a free sample.

The dirty business of finding dealers was done…and housekeeping would never be the same again.

Pity James Spangler not; He and William Hoover really cleaned up on the deal.

Interested in creating a similar success for your own business? Talk to Rob!