News about James Spangler

James Spangler, 58, and from Pennsylvania, was left unable to move anything except his toes after a botched spinal surgery. The father-of-three won nearly $24million in a court case. He had been working at Harley Davidson the day before being admitted to WellSpan York Hospital for the elective procedure. But during it, doctors accidentally inserted screws into his spinal cord - leaving him unable to move. (Pictured right, stock image)

ROLAND WHIITE: Consider this when you first get the Hoover out: but, instead of the Spangling, you will be doing the Spangling. The first portable vacuum cleaner was invented in 1907 by department store caretaker James Spangler, according to Hannah Fry on The Secret Genius Of Modern Life (BBC2). Spangler died before his invention was successful, but the praise went instead to William H. Hoover, his business partner. Making vacuum cleaners seems to be a hoot. Professor Hannah visited Dyson, where they have a machine that removes cleaner sections from a large building. Since they are made from the same material as riot shields, the parts don't usually break. If you're ever in a strange crowd in your sitting room, this could be very handy.