Today machines to sweep streets- the machines alone represent a more than 3.6 billion dollar annual market- are recognized around the world. But the mechanical street sweeper is a rather new invention that took some time to sweep a skeptical public off its feet..
By September of 1944, the Western Allies had broken out of the Normandy beachehead, and suddenly and quickly moved across northern France . By September 7th, the 90th division was stretched across the northern sector on Patton’s Third Army’s left, advancing slowly northeast. As they did so the German defenders made a risky attack in an effort to spoil the allied advance, cutting through Allied lines in a surprise action at the small town of Mairy-Mannville.