At THE turn of this century, Hubert Cecil Booth's prototype vacuum cleaner was mounted on a four-wheel horse-drawn van. A 285-meter hose
would be passed through the householder's window and the dust sucked out of carpets and soft
furnishings.
The first portable electric vacuum cleaner was a 42-kilogram trolley-mounted model marketed for
domestic use by Chapman and Skinner, of San
Francisco, in 1905 This year an electronic model has reclassified
the vacuum cleaner as one of the most technology locally advanced home appliances available.
The suction power of the Omega 4400 ranges from 1,200 watts (the most powerful available) to 400
watts.
The Omega 4400 automatically starts on the energy-saving setting of 800 watts — ideal for
standard pile wool or blended carpets.
By touching a switch, the 400-watt setting can be selected for cleaning curtains and blinds, the
A 600-watt setting for upholstery, 1,000 watts for shorter pile carpets and 1,200 watts for hard floor
ing surfaces such as parquet, slate or vinyl.
Adjustable suction control ensures efficient cleaning and longer life of carpets and upholstery.
It has a 360-degree swivel hose and wand, a seven-meter cord with automatic rewind and an electronic bag-full indicator.
The company offers a two-year guarantee with each vacuum cleaner — there are three in the range - plus in-home service.
For shag pile carpets a motorized power head is available as an optional extra which lifts the
strands on end so that all dust and grit can be removed from the base of the carpet.
The appliances come complete with six-liter dust bag and a full set of tools, comprising dual
Omega's 4400 electronic vacuum cleaner has a suction power ranging from 1,200 to 400 watts.