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Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

-0001

2012

  • Work on this object began.

2014

2025

  • You found it!

Vacuum, Transparent Tool: Improvised Vacuum with Tube and Brush

This is a Vacuum. It was designed by Jesse Howard.

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from Jesse Howard as part of Beautiful Users.

It is dated 2012. Its medium is plastic, wood, 3d-printed components, electrical components.

Jesse Howard makes his Transparent Tools with standard wheels, repurposed motors, 3D-printed parts, and recycled containers. The 3D-printed parts use OpenStructures, a library of universal, modular elements founded by designer Thomas Lommée. The canister for the Improvised Vacuum comes from a plastic thermos; the motor was salvaged from a broken appliance. Instructions for building the vacuum include web addresses and part numbers, inviting users to become makers.

It is credited Courtesy of the designer.

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  • 2013-53-1
  •

Our curators have highlighted 7 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Sidewall, Mauer
  • machine-printed on paper.
  • Gift of Marilyn Hapgood.
  • 1992-191-7
  •
  • Coffee Service (USA), 1934
  • chrome-plated metal, enamel.
  • Museum purchase from Decorative Arts Association Acquisition Fund.
  • 1993-150-44

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 55 x 30 x 30 cm (21 5/8 x 11 13/16 x 11 13/16 in.) (Plus 1m metal tube, 1.5m flexible tube)

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Beautiful Users.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/51497737/ |title=Vacuum, Transparent Tool: Improvised Vacuum with Tube and Brush |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=15 January 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>