History of Broom

 The broom is one of humanity's oldest cleaning tools, with a rich history dating back thousands of years. Here’s a brief overview of its development:

Ancient Times:

Early brooms were simple bundles of twigs, reeds, or other natural materials bound together, used for sweeping dirt and debris. These rudimentary tools appeared in ancient civilizations, such as Egypt and Mesopotamia. In Egypt, for example, brooms were often made from a type of reed called camel thorn.

Medieval Europe:

During the Middle Ages, brooms continued to be handmade from whatever materials were available, including birch twigs and various grasses. The use of bound twigs gave the broom a characteristic round shape. These brooms were often used to sweep dirt floors in homes.

Witchcraft Association:

The broom became associated with witchcraft in medieval Europe, partly due to folklore and stories about witches using brooms to fly. This association persisted in popular culture, particularly in the West, as seen in Halloween imagery.

18th Century:

A significant improvement in broom design came in the early 18th century with the introduction of broomcorn (Sorghum vulgare), a type of stiff, fibrous grass that proved far more durable and effective than twigs. The first documented use of broomcorn was in 1750, in Massachusetts, by farmers who cultivated it specifically for broom-making.

19th Century:

The Shakers, a religious sect in America, are credited with creating the flat broom design that became standard. The Shakers are believed to have been the first to use wire or cord to bind the broomcorn more securely, and they flattened the round broom head to make it more efficient for sweeping floors.

In 1797, Levi Dickenson, a Massachusetts farmer, is said to have crafted the modern flat broom as a gift for his wife, using broomcorn. He later commercialized this design, giving rise to the broom-making industry in the United States.

By the 1830s, broom-making had become an industry, with numerous broom factories springing up in the U.S. The invention of broom-making machines in the 19th century also boosted production.

Modern Times:

Today, brooms come in a variety of materials, from synthetic fibers to traditional broomcorn. The design has been further refined, with specialized brooms created for different types of sweeping (indoor, outdoor, push brooms, etc.).

The broom has transformed from a simple bundle of twigs into an essential household tool with centuries of innovation behind it.