Electric drain snakes revolutionized drain cleaning
One of the greatest inventions for plumbing was Samuel Blanc's electric drain snake, the Roto-Rooter, patented in 1935.
Prior to this, plumbers used hooks, hand-cranked augers and plungers, which took a great deal of time and effort.
In the 1800s, indoor plumbing was commonly reserved for wealthy individuals living in larger cities. In the early 20th century, more cities developed water and waste systems. A particular turning point occurred in the 1930s when the government prioritized the development of plumbing systems to rural areas. The demand for clearing pipes grew higher, but inefficient hand-cranked augers were still being used to unclog pipes.
Samuel Blanc was a plumber attempting to help his daughter-in-law unclog her sewer line, likely caused by tree roots. This was a common issue he faced in Des Moines, Iowa which typically involved digging up the line. A messy and expensive process.
Samuel wondered if he could electrify a hand-cranked auger, so he created a prototype in his garage. He used a 1/6 HP Maytag washing machine motor, roller skate wheels and a 3/8" cable to turn the blades. This device was able to cut tree roots out of the sewer line and clear it without any digging. His wife named it the Roto-Rooter, which Samuel named his plumbing business after. Today, Roto-Rooter is the largest plumbing and drain cleaning service in North America.
Ironically, while Samuel developed his idea, his home didn't have indoor plumbing.
Electric drain snakes have come a long way since then. Some of the most popular snakes are created by Ryobi, Populo, Rigid, Kobalt, Vevor and Milwaukee. These brands offer advancements in materials, technology and user-centric principles:
Many modern electric drain snakes include brushless DC motors which deliver more torque and run more efficiently.
Automatic feed mechanisms allow for variable speed control and cable-drive locking systems, enabling controlled, targeted pipe clearing and better cable lifespan.
The original Roto-Rooter offered a single blade design. Today, there are an array of interchangeable attachments including root cutters, auger heads and camera attachments allowing more appropriate solutions for specific clog types and pipe diameters.
Triggers, variable speed dials and intuitive control interfaces improve product intuition and usability.
Ergonomic handles, softer and textured grips, balanced weight distribution and lightweight materials maximize user comfort and minimize fatigue for extended operation time.
Cordless technology prevents plumbers from being tethered to an outlet.
Depending on the machine, this list would be longer and more detailed. Blanc's ingenuity paved the way, but today's electric drain snakes are a testament to relentless progress. They continue to evolve with technological and material innovations. Smart technology has already begun to find its way in to this industry. Perhaps we'll see these features become standardized, including sensors that measure clog location and severity, Bluetooth that allows for remote operation or Augmented Reality displays that show 3D models of the snake's position or clog in real-time.
Samuel Blanc's full patent isn't available online, but here is an image from it, dated 1935.
