STREET SWEEPERS

STREET SWEEPERS. A "street sweeper" or "street cleaner" may refer to a person's occupation, or a machine that cleans streets. A street sweeper cleans the streets, usually in an urban area. (1)

Street sweepers have been employed in cities since sanitation and waste removal became a priority. A street-sweeping person would use a broom and shovel to clean off litter, animal waste and filth that accumulated on streets. Later, water hoses were used to wash the streets. Machines were created in the 19th century to do the job more efficiently. Today, modern street sweepers are mounted on truck bodies and can vacuum debris that accumulates in streets. (2)

The very first street sweeping machine was patented in 1849 by its inventor, C.S. Bishop. Brooks' design, far from being the "first street sweeper," was just a variation of what already existed, and the patent for it was among the more than 300 street sweeper patents issued in the United States before 1900. Most 19th-century sweepers, including the one in Brooks' patent, were horse carts with no engine. The wheels on the cart turned gears or chains which drove the brush and belt. The first self-propelled sweeper vehicle patented in the United States, driven by a steam engine and intended for cleaning railroad tracks, was patented in 1868, patent No. 79606. Eureka C. Bowne was the first known woman to get a patent for a street sweeper, in 1879, patent No. 222447. (3)

John M. Murphy called at the offices of American Tower and Tank Company in Elgin, Illinois, in the fall of 1911. He had a plan of a motor-driven pickup street sweeper. The American Tower and Tank Company had been formed in 1903 by Charles A. Whiting and James Todd. They called in a recently acquired silent partner, Daniel M. Todd, and it was decided to hire Murphy and begin the development of his idea. That started what has become the Elgin Sweeper Company. (4)

After two years of trial, development, experimentation, and research, a sweeper was achieved which Murphy was satisfied performed all of the sweeping functions in the manner he had envisioned – one which partners James and Daniel M. Todd and Charles A. Whiting were willing to risk a reputation gained from 30 years' manufacturing experience. (5)

Following its introduction and initial sales, Murphy continued improving his sweeper. In 1917, United States patents were filed and issues for J. M. Murphy, Street Sweeping machine No. 1,239,293. (6)

The goal of simple debris removal did not change until the 1970s, when policymakers became concerned for water quality. In the United States, the lag time in which street sweepers responded can be pinpointed to the Runoff Report of 1998. As older street sweepers were only effective in removing large particles of road debris, small particles of debris remained behind in large quantities. The remaining debris was not seen as an aesthetic issue because rain washed them away. Today, small particles are known to carry a substantial portion of the storm water pollutant load. (7)

Street sweeping can be an effective measure in reducing pollutants in stormwater runoff. The Environmental Protection Agency considers street sweeping best practice in protecting water quality. Newer street sweepers are capable of collecting small particles of debris. Many street sweepers produced today are PM10 and PM2.5 certified, meaning that they are capable of collecting and holding particulate matter sized less than 10μm and even down to 2.5μm. Despite advancements in street sweeping technology, the mechanical broom type street sweeper accounts for approximately 90 percent of all street sweepers used in the United States today. (8)

In 1895 the city received propositions from the F. C. Austin and A. Wander manufacturing companies to provide street sweepers to the city. (9) In 1897 the Dubuque committee on streets was approached by a representative of the Kelly street sweepers. The company proposed that their sweeper be given a test in the city and it satisfactory the machine would be purchased for $700 payable in three installments. The proposal passed despite a suggestion that nothing be done until hickory brooms were tried in the old sweeper. (10)

In 1902 the J. L. Halcomb Manufacturing Company provided the city with one dozen street sweepers for the road department at a cost of $7.50. (11)

The street committee in 1903 were shown a proposed uniform to be worn by street sweepers. Made of white cloth, the uniform came with a helmet to protect the worker from the sun. The purpose of the uniform was to protect the city employees from injury. The bright white color was thought to alert the general public and "there would not be as much danger of being run down as formerly. (12) While not mentioned as a problem in Dubuque, street sweepers in New York in 1904 were suffering from tuberculosis caused, it was believed, by constantly breathing the dust of the streets. To prevent further cases, disinfectants were added to the water used to sprinkle the pavement. (13)

The Telegraph-Herald took up the issue of dust, without the mention of disease, in 1911. Citing dust deposited in the nostrils, ears, and mouth of passersby, on clothing, and on the buildings abutting the streets being swept, the newspaper requested the street department to send sprinkling wagons ahead of the sweepers. (14)

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Source:

1. "Street Sweeper," Wikipedia, Online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_sweeper

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. Ibid.

8. Ibid.

9. "City Council," The Dubuque-Herald, November 12, 1895, p. 3

10. "City Council," The Dubuque-Herald, September 21, 1897, p. 3 11. "List of City Warrants," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, October 5, 1902, p. 10

12. "Hoffman Reports," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, April 26, 1903, p. 21

13. "To Check Scourge," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, May 7, 1904, p. 1

14. "The Dust Nuisance," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, March 2, 1911, p. 4