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Who really invented the leaf blower? Uncover the amazing story of Kyoritsu Noki!
Leaf blowers have become an indispensable part of today's gardening tools. This portable tool uses high-pressure air to move leaves and other debris, making it surprisingly effective in both the home backyard and large commercial space. However, did you know that the origin of all this is inextricably linked to a Japanese company called Kyoritsu Noki?
The origin of leaf blowers
The leaf blower was first invented by Kyoritsu Noki in 1947 as a backpack atomizer. With the advancement of technology, the company launched a backpack blower/atomizer in 1955 and applied for a patent for a backpack blower atomizer in 1968. Finally, in 1977, Kyoritsu Noki is considered by many to be the inventor of the first leaf blower.
A single leaf blower can generate airflow of up to 270 mph, giving it great potential in a variety of applications.
As the leaf blower market boomed in the United States in the 1970s, the company's name was changed to Echo in 1978, and Echo quickly became a leader in the market, facing competition from Stihl, Weed Eater and Husqvarna. .
The design and chemical evolution of leaf blowers
The engine design used in most leaf blowers was originally a two-stroke engine, which ran on a mixture of oil and gasoline, but over time, four-stroke engines have gradually entered the market in response to increasingly stringent regulations. Air pollution regulations. In particular, California regulations in 1995 and 1999 forced manufacturers to continually adjust their designs to meet environmental requirements.
Tighter regulations in 1999 pushed for the design of quieter and more environmentally friendly two-stroke engines.
In the 21st century, manufacturers began developing cordless leaf blowers to counter social criticism of noise and pollution. Initially designed using NiCad batteries, and later improved to more powerful Li-Ion batteries, these tools are a clean, efficient choice in the current market.
Environmental and occupational impacts
While leaf blowers perform well in cleanup jobs, their health impact on sanitation workers cannot be ignored. According to the latest research, the emissions from using oil-powered leaf blowers have been proven to be harmful to the respiratory system, especially in small engines, where one-third of the oil and gasoline mixture is not completely burned and is emitted as aerosol. Discharged into the air.
A 2011 study found that operating a leaf blower for 30 minutes emitted as much non-isotropic hydrocarbon pollutants as a Ford F-150 truck traveling from Texas to Alaska.
In addition, studies have shown that leaf blowers can produce noise levels of up to 89 decibels, far exceeding the 85 decibel limit recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which puts nearly a million gardening workers at risk. People who work in lawn maintenance face serious occupational noise hazards.
The ban and future prospects
As concerns over environmental and health impacts rise, many cities are beginning to ban leaf blowers, particularly in California. Currently, as many as 20 cities in California have banned the use of leaf blowers, especially fuel-powered devices. In 2024, California will also implement a new law banning the sale of gas-powered lawn equipment.
Dating back to the invention of the leaf blower, Kyoritsu Noki has not only led the industry, but also paved the way for the transition to a clean energy future.
As environmental awareness grows, how will leaf blowers evolve in the future? Can we expect less polluting technologies to emerge so that gardening no longer comes at the expense of the environment and our health?
