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Black River Academy Alumni
The Agan Vacuum - A Precursor of Modern Automation
(The following is the first in a series of articles on the contributions made to society and the world by alumni of Black
River Academy [BRAM] in Ludlow. While Calvin Coolidge is its most renowned alumnus, there were many others who
made lasting contributions. This is an effort to recognize them. We plan to update this list of BRAM alumni monthly.
BRAM is responsible for the information presented in these articles.)
LUDLOW -- Frank W. Agan was born in Plymouth on Dec. 18, 1868. He attended the common schools and the Black
River Academy in Ludlow. On June 10, 1896, he married Cora A. Safford, daughter of the late Major Darius Safford of
Morrisville. She passed away August 26, 1988. In 1897, Agan commenced the manufacture of shoddy wool, the first
industry of the kind ever established in Ludlow. ("Shoddy" was wool produced from reclaimed wool. Agan eventually
owned one of these mills in Ludlow.)
The Agan vacuum cleaner was created by Agan in Ludlow sometime in the late 19th or 20th century. The Agan
Vacuum is an important symbol of the Gilded Age. As technology and innovation spurred on the Industrial Age, wealth
increased and as a consequence a new class developed. With a vast amount of buying power, many new products
appeared to meet the demands of this new class, especially its women. Society demanded that women present their
homes as a model of their husbands' wealth and influence in the work place and with disposable income on the increase,
washing machines, stoves and vacuums all represented this wealth. Meant as labor saving devices, these new products
also opened up some leisure time, allowing women to spend time on volunteering in their communities and focusing on
other aspects of their roles as mothers and wives.
The museum has in its collection a hand operated vacuum and a power operated vacuum made by Agan.
What is fascinating about Agan's career, however, is the breadth of his interests and scope of his involvement in
community affairs. He was involved in Vermont politics, narrowly being defeated for Lt. Governor in 1902 in what the
New York Times described as "the hottest political campaign in the history of Vermont".
He managed to find time to be President of the Ludlow Telephone Company, a Trustee of the Village of Ludlow, a
principal in a medical equipment company, a school board member, and an active Mason.
But history will best remember him for his vacuum cleaner. Meant to be used by two people, one to crank the wheel
in order to generate the suction and one to clean with the wand or head of the vacuum, this labor saving device collected
dirt as well as dust in one hose and transferred it to the second so that the refuse may be placed out the window. As new
technology, this vacuum was an innovation of its day and it enabled women or their servants to clean rugs, furniture and
hardwood floors. The non-electric wheel type vacuums, such as the Agan, were in great demand until the electric
replacement came onto the market, also in the early 20th century.
The Agan Vacuum - A Precursor of Modern Automation
(The following is the first in a series of articles on the contributions made to society and the world by alumni of Black
River Academy [BRAM] in Ludlow. While Calvin Coolidge is its most renowned alumnus, there were many others who
made lasting contributions. This is an effort to recognize them. We plan to update this list of BRAM alumni monthly.
BRAM is responsible for the information presented in these articles.)
LUDLOW -- Frank W. Agan was born in Plymouth on Dec. 18, 1868. He attended the common schools and the Black
River Academy in Ludlow. On June 10, 1896, he married Cora A. Safford, daughter of the late Major Darius Safford of
Morrisville. She passed away August 26, 1988. In 1897, Agan commenced the manufacture of shoddy wool, the first
industry of the kind ever established in Ludlow. ("Shoddy" was wool produced from reclaimed wool. Agan eventually
owned one of these mills in Ludlow.)
The Agan vacuum cleaner was created by Agan in Ludlow sometime in the late 19th or 20th century. The Agan
Vacuum is an important symbol of the Gilded Age. As technology and innovation spurred on the Industrial Age, wealth
increased and as a consequence a new class developed. With a vast amount of buying power, many new products
appeared to meet the demands of this new class, especially its women. Society demanded that women present their
homes as a model of their husbands' wealth and influence in the work place and with disposable income on the increase,
washing machines, stoves and vacuums all represented this wealth. Meant as labor saving devices, these new products
also opened up some leisure time, allowing women to spend time on volunteering in their communities and focusing on
other aspects of their roles as mothers and wives.
The museum has in its collection a hand operated vacuum and a power operated vacuum made by Agan.
What is fascinating about Agan's career, however, is the breadth of his interests and scope of his involvement in
community affairs. He was involved in Vermont politics, narrowly being defeated for Lt. Governor in 1902 in what the
New York Times described as "the hottest political campaign in the history of Vermont".
He managed to find time to be President of the Ludlow Telephone Company, a Trustee of the Village of Ludlow, a
principal in a medical equipment company, a school board member, and an active Mason.
But history will best remember him for his vacuum cleaner. Meant to be used by two people, one to crank the wheel
in order to generate the suction and one to clean with the wand or head of the vacuum, this labor saving device collected
dirt as well as dust in one hose and transferred it to the second so that the refuse may be placed out the window. As new
technology, this vacuum was an innovation of its day and it enabled women or their servants to clean rugs, furniture and
hardwood floors. The non-electric wheel type vacuums, such as the Agan, were in great demand until the electric
replacement came onto the market, also in the early 20th century.