"Vacuum Boy" Has Unusual Passion

12-Year-Old In Michigan Shares His Love Of Vacuum Cleaners With Steve Hartman

(CBS)  One hundred years ago this year, a department store janitor named Murray Spangler took a tin soap box, a fan, a pillow case and a broom handle and invented what he called the "suction sweeper." The vacuum cleaner was born. And soon, every kid wanted one. Well … not every kid.

To most 12-year-olds, vacuuming is about as appealing as algebra. But to Kyle Krichbaum of Adrian, Mich., it's pure joy.

"Some people like baseball better than football," Kyle says. In fact, he tells CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman in this week's Assignment America that he likes vacuums better than "everything."

Kyle's mom, MaryLynn, says the fire's been burning since before he could say "Hoover."

"When Kyle was a baby in his little baby seat and I'd be vacuuming, he would just be mesmerized by the vacuum and he would just; he'd follow it everywhere," she says.

Kyle got his first vacuum at age 1, dressed up as a Dirt Devil for Halloween at 2, and, as a former teacher recalls, was vacuuming during school recess at age 6.

"It's not that he didn't like recess. He just preferred to stay inside vacuuming," he says. "He would go down and, actually, one day vacuum one side of the room, the next day vacuum the other side. [He'd] also vacuum the principal's office — anywhere he could vacuum."

Today, Kyle has 165 vacuums. He uses almost all of them, vacuuming his own house up to five times a day.

"I have to admit this is one of my favorites," Kyle says as he shows off one model. "It is in absolute mint condition and it's very pretty how the bag is like that shape. It's a slow starter, but it still runs perfect," he says of another.

His sweepers fill up almost every room in his house with one exception: his older sister Michelle's.

"He's constantly vacuuming," she says. "That's all I hear. It's always loud in my house. I'm just like why, why, why, why, why, why? I don't understand"

Kyle is so obsessed he had Hartmancall his parents to find out what vacuum he grew up with.

"They had a J.C. Penney at one time, Hartman says. Kyle replies, "A Penncrest? Whoa!"

Apparently that particular Penncrests are really rare; only one other is known to exist.

"What'd you do with it?" Hartman asked his parents. "You threw it out?" Kyle banged his head.

There went $2,000. But Kyle is making plenty of pocket change repairing his neighbors' vacuums and cleaning their carpets. Of course, everything he makes goes into buying more vacuums.

So when is enough enough?

"My parents say that all the time," he said. "When I go off to college, my parents say they're gonna have a big vacuum sale!

Hartmansays Kyle is intent on creating the first soundless vacuum, something that would be a boon to older sisters everywhere.

[cam20042]

I just loved this story. My 3-year old son has been fascinated with vacuums since he was 1 and I don't see a problem with it. He has several play vacuums and knows all the name brands by heart. Each time we go to Home Depot, Wal-Mart, etc. he asks if we can go by the vacuum aisle. To our family, perfectly fine.

[redzzz2]

I just love this!! My 6 year old has had a passion for vacuums for 4 years now. To him its a fasinating toy... figuring out different ways the attachments can be used. And he keeps me up on my part of the cleaning also. He is now a proud owner of a Dyson which is just like an expensive erector set. I think Kyle is wonderful, keep up the good work!!!

[asotherwise]

This story seems to meet all the criteria for "what's not a good story". What could possibly be charming or amusing about a boy who vacuums all the time. I kept waiting for the story to talk about his pschological disease. It never did. The only word I could come up with is: Pathetic.

[lizardbate]

So what------ The kid " gets off " vacuuming!! Asbergers - furburgers, who gives a ***?????

[Diamonddavej]

Well, I was diagnosed at the age of 29. I got no childhood intervention or special treatment as a child, like nearly all adults with Asperger's. Asperger's didn't become known until 1994. But as a 12 year old in 1984 I met a fantastic teacher who thought me to be proud of who I am (I knew I was different from the age of 6). He put me in a Christmas play playing a Space Alien- what the bullies called me. But instead of ridicule, I was popular for being myself. That is the main thing - see yourself (or your AS child) as different in a good way and build positive self-esteem, it will last a lifetime.

[realtor0715]

Diamonddavej, you are a wonderful testament to how identification and intervention can lead to above-average achievement (which benefits all of society) for those with Aspergers. Bless you for sharing your time and experience with others.

[Diamonddavej]

I have Asperger's myself - my hobbies since ~3 years old were/are mineralogy and astronomy. My mineral obsession was as equally as intense as Kyle's vacuum cleaner hobby, especially as a teen. I now have a PhD in geology and I can identify my entire mineral collection of 1000's of specimens behind my back by touch! I now help run a social group for adults with Asperger and I have met ~100 Aspies. While I'm 95% sure Kyle has Asperger's, he is milder most I have met; his sense of humor, mannerisms and social skills seem ok. I agree that Asperger should be considered - if he is an Aspie he will immensely benefit from social skills education (acting/self defense classes) and help making friends. I think he will do fine.

[calibooklovr]

My son is the same way about vacuum cleaners, and yes, he has Asperger's. He asks permission to vacuum the way other kids ask if they can play video games! ;-) There are varying degrees of Asperger's - many people who only have Asperger's traits, as opposed to the full-blown syndrome, are never diagnosed, and live full lives without ever knowing that's what makes them so "different." For others, like my son, it is a much greater challenge.

[rushlimpdrug]

hey, he missed a spot.

[realtor0715]

I cannot believe this child has not been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. And shame on the parents for choosing to ignore such a diagnosis if it has been, as it should have been, suggested by this child's school. This is not a "phase": As a former teacher, I have worked with Aspergers children who, although typically above average if not gifted in intelligence, have exclusive interests in vacuum cleaners, cell phones, sea creatures, and cameras, to name a few. These children become experts in their field of interest, which is consuming. They generally have few other interests and attempt to engage even complete strangers into a conversation about whatever their "thing" is.
"Today, Kyle has 165 vacuums. He uses almost all of them, vacuuming his own house up to five times a day." This is not healthy for the rest of the family. The poor sister is obviously frustrated. This is not a cute story. It is sad that this boy and just as importantly his family have not had intervention on how to deal with this. It is not in this child's best interests.
Google Aspergers Syndrome asnd read about this fascinating syndrome which has affected many well known people, including Thomas Jefferson, and, some feel, Bill Gates.

[dukeudevil]

Jeesh, they even censored "d-@-rn." Me thinks that's a bit over the top.

[dukeudevil]

This is hilarious. I, too, loved vacuums as a kid and still do today.

My ex-girlfriend couldn't believe I actually wanted a vacuum cleaner as my birthday present one year. (Hey, it was a *** fine vacuum cleaner!)

[cantshutup]

lmao...they censored closet "kno.b"

[cantshutup]

kids are weird ... this is probably just a phase ... my own son loved the vacuum as a child, used to hang on the closet *** after I'd put it away crying "VROOM VROOM"... hates it now though when he's asked to sweep...go figure, he's 16...so of course he hates everything, i've taken up vodka so it's all good...vive la revolucion wal-mart shoppers

[jrlordjr]

OK. I guess we know now who is going to be the next generation Oreck. He'll grow up, invent the next generation of vacuums, retire a millionaire. Everybody has their own gift.

[sw145541]

Obsessive-complusive yes but a psychiatrist,no. My son was the exact same way. He has been obssesed with vacuums since he was 18 months old. He is now 21 yrs old, lives in AZ and works for a vacuum store;) This boys story sounds exactly the same as my son was and is.

[rational_1]

This sounds like a developing (or developed?) obsessive-compulsive disorder. At first glance it's amusing, but if my kid was vacuuming our house 5 times a day, I'd have him see a psychiatrist.