Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain

In 1933, Samuel Blanc created a funny-looking sewer cleaning machine from a 1/6 horsepower Maytag washing machine motor, roller skate wheels and 3/8-inch cable to turn the blades. The device used a combination of special blades (or knives) to cut tree roots out of sewer lines. No digging was required. A year later, Sam's wife, Lettie Blanc, christened the prototype as the Roto-Rooter. Founded...