Tapala Nadamuni, a 23-year-old Indian student, holds the Guinness World Record for creating the world’s smallest functional vacuum cleaner. This tiny electronic device, measuring a mere 0.65 centimeters, is smaller than a pinky fingernail, marking a unique achievement in the world of inventions.
Nadamuni had previously held the record for the smallest vacuum cleaner in 2020, with a gadget measuring 1.76 centimeters. However, in 2022, someone built a smaller model at 0.85 centimeters, prompting him to spend two years reclaiming the title. His determination led to many rejected attempts, countless hours of research, and meticulous design revisions. Finally, in 2024, he succeeded in building a vacuum cleaner that not only met the Guinness criteria but also surpassed his previous record by a significant margin.
To qualify for the record, the vacuum cleaner had to be an electrically powered device capable of picking up debris using suction from negative internal pressure. Guinness rules stipulated that only the body, not the handle or cord, would be measured, making Nadamuni’s task even more challenging. His final creation was built from a modified ballpoint pen, with small bits of metal and plastic. The vacuum’s suction power came from a tiny rotating fan driven by a four-volt vibration motor.
Nadamuni’s journey toward reclaiming the title involved developing over 50 schematics and redesigning his original vacuum completely. Though the physical components of the vacuum were relatively simple, reducing its size to meet the stringent Guinness standards was a considerable feat. He spent around 20,000 rupees ($240) on the materials, but his true investment was the two years of dedication and determination that ultimately earned him this remarkable achievement.