The 8000Pa Question: Deconstructing the Engineering Compromises of a Cordless Vacuum

Published on Sept. 23, 2024, 8:25 a.m.

There is an illusion of simplicity to the modern cordless stick vacuum. In our collective imagination, it has been reduced to a…

The Anatomy of a $70 Vacuum: When 20,000 Pascals of Power Meets the Physics of Failure

Published on Sept. 21, 2024, 1:28 p.m.

It presents itself as a paradox, an enigma of modern manufacturing neatly packed in a cardboard box. On one hand, the Interclea…

The Anatomy of a Solution: Deconstructing the Engineering Genius of a Portable Spot Cleaner

Published on July 29, 2024, 2:46 p.m.

A glass of red wine arcs through the air, a perfect crimson parabola, before meeting its tragic destiny on a pale beige rug. In…

The Anatomy of a Perfect Compromise: A Deep Dive Into the Engineering of a Bestselling Carpet Cleaner

Published on July 30, 2024, 4:54 a.m.

Scan the online reviews for the Bissell Little Green ProHeat, a ubiquitous soldier in the war against domestic grime, and a dis…

The Genie in the Bottle: Deconstructing the Physics of Palm-Sized Power

Published on July 21, 2024, 9:03 a.m.

We live in an age of impossible objects. A pane of glass in our pocket holds a supercomputer. A flying camera fits in a backpac…

An Engineer's Teardown: The Unexpected Physics of the Kärcher FC 7 Floor Cleaner

Published on June 21, 2025, 1:40 p.m.

It started, as many of my weekend projects do, in the garage. Amidst the familiar scent of motor oil and sawdust, a new box sat…