Bissell was founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Melville Bissell, who invented a carpet sweeping device for the crockery shop that he and his wife Anna owned. Bissell got a patent for his machine in 1876. By 1883, Bissell had a manufacturing plant and by 1890, the company was making and selling approximately 100 carpet sweepers each day, both in the US and internationally.
Melville passed away in 1889 and his wife Anna took over the company, actively working as CEO and chairwoman of the board until 1934. Anna was the first female CEO in the US.
Over the years the company has continued to expand and grow, as well as develop new technology. In 1956 the company invented the first manual carpet and rug shampoo machine, removing the chore of washing these by hand.
In 1979, the company introduced the first deep cleaning carpet shampoo machine. 
In 2001, the SpotBot was introduced by the company, making it the first portable deep cleaner specially designed for pet messes.
In 2004 the company acquired a license for the Woolite trademark for all carpet and upholstery cleaning formulas for $62 million.
The company’s main focus today is on pet clean-up machines, including vacuums, wet/dry floor mops, and specialized carpet cleaning, as well as hardwood floor cleaning machines. 
While other companies have seen their sales decline over the years, Bissell has seen steady revenue, with annual revenue in 2017 of $800 million.
In December 2020, Bissell offered $25 pet adoptions in hopes of emptying animal shelters by Christmas.
In addition to vacuums and other cleaning devices, the company makes pet towels and bathmats.
In 2009, the company surpassed Hoover to take the #1 position in floor care products in North America, with a 20% market share. Company headquarters remain in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Bissell
Bissell was founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Melville Bissell, who invented a carpet sweeping device for the crockery shop that he and his wife Anna owned. Bissell got a patent for his machine in 1876. By 1883, Bissell had a manufacturing plant and by 1890, the company was making and selling approximately 100 carpet sweepers each day, both in the US and internationally.
Melville passed away in 1889 and his wife Anna took over the company, actively working as CEO and chairwoman of the board until 1934. Anna was the first female CEO in the US.
History
Over the years the company has continued to expand and grow, as well as develop new technology. In 1956 the company invented the first manual carpet and rug shampoo machine, removing the chore of washing these by hand.
In 1979, the company introduced the first deep cleaning carpet shampoo machine.
In 2001, the SpotBot was introduced by the company, making it the first portable deep cleaner specially designed for pet messes.
In 2004 the company acquired a license for the Woolite trademark for all carpet and upholstery cleaning formulas for $62 million.
The company’s main focus today is on pet clean-up machines, including vacuums, wet/dry floor mops, and specialized carpet cleaning, as well as hardwood floor cleaning machines.
While other companies have seen their sales decline over the years, Bissell has seen steady revenue, with annual revenue in 2017 of $800 million.
In December 2020, Bissell offered $25 pet adoptions in hopes of emptying animal shelters by Christmas.
In addition to vacuums and other cleaning devices, the company makes pet towels and bathmats.
In 2009, the company surpassed Hoover to take the #1 position in floor care products in North America, with a 20% market share. Company headquarters remain in Grand Rapids, Michigan.