From the first breast pump in 1854, a medieval-looking contraption, to the revolutionary wearable pumps by The Night Owl in 2021, the evolution of breast pump technology has been a wild ride. Over the decades, inventors have tinkered with suction mechanisms, portability, and comfort, leading to game-changing innovations like hospital-grade pumps and personal, at-home devices. The Night Owl's wearable breast pump represents the latest leap forward, offering modern mums the freedom to pump anytime, anywhere, with ease and discretion. It's a story of constant improvement, driven by the needs of nursing mothers everywhere.
1854: The First Breast Pump Makes Its Debut
Back in 1854, a bloke named Orwell H. Needham filed a patent for what he dubbed a “breast pump.” Picture this: a contraption straight out of a medieval torture chamber, designed to mimic a nursing baby. It had a rubber “shield” that clamped around the nipple, acting as a substitute for the baby’s tongue. Sounds like a day at the spa, right? Ouch.
But hey, it was a step up from its predecessor, which had glass shield flanges instead of these “nice” soft rubber ones…
1874: Say G’day to the “Milk Collector”
Fast forward 20 years, and the pump got a bit of an upgrade. Enter Robert C. Gray and Charles E. Gassin, who had a crack at reimagining the pump. Their version included a milk collection bottle that could be unscrewed from the main flange—a feature that’s still kicking around in today’s pumps. And, because they were real gentlemen, they made sure their design was easy to pull apart and clean. How thoughtful!
1898: Vacuum Pumps Take Centre Stage
By 1898, it was pretty clear that constantly yanking on the breast wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. So, Joseph H. Hoover (yep, another bloke) decided to jazz things up with a spring and a vacuum function. This new “suck and release” technology might look a bit primitive, but it was a massive leap forward in pump design—and it’s still the basis for what we use today.
1905: Enter the Piston Breast Pump
What’s the common thread between the pumps above? None of them were designed for solo operation—they were a two-person job. Hulbert H. Halstead had had enough of this nonsense by 1905 and suggested adding an air chamber, a spring interior, and finger holds to make the pump easy to use. Finally, a pump that didn’t require a helper! What a revelation!
1908: The “Hands-Free” Pump Arrives
Halstead’s pump was a game changer, but Joel S. Gilbert wasn’t satisfied just yet. In 1908, he introduced two bulbs on one pump—one for suction, the other for collecting milk. This innovation meant that women now had a spare hand, rather than needing both hands just to operate the pump. Talk about multitasking!
1928: The Need for Speed
By 1927, breast pumps were getting more comfortable, but Woodward Colby saw room for improvement. He realised that if the bulb was closer to the breast shield, it would create a better vacuum, meaning the bulb didn’t need to be fully inflated before the next pump. Efficiency, here we come!
1942: The First Hospital-Grade Breast Pump
In 1939, a group of gynaecologists weren’t impressed with the current pump offerings, so they asked Swedish engineer Einar Egnell to come up with something better. Three years later, he delivered a behemoth of a machine designed for use in hospitals. It might have looked like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it made pumping safer and more hygienic—a huge win for nursing mums!
1980: Hospital Pumps on Wheels!
After years of lugging around the massive Egnell model, a Swiss company decided it was high time to make it more portable. They popped the pump onto a cart with wheels, making it easier and safer to move around the hospital. Genius!
1993: The March Towards Automation
In 1993, a business acquired the Egnell pump and gave it a modern makeover, adding a microprocessor for adaptable pumping programs tailored to each mum. A year later, they introduced a backflow protector to prevent harmful bacteria from getting into the pump—a huge leap forward in hygiene!
1998: Personal Pumps Hit the Market
By the late '90s, pumps had evolved rapidly, but they were still mostly found in hospitals. Renting one wasn’t exactly convenient for most mums. So, personal pumps made their grand entrance onto the market, finally giving women the option to pump at home.
1999: Hospital-Grade Pumps for the Home
Not content with just a personal pump, a Korean company in 1999 found a way to produce a hospital-grade pump at a price that wouldn’t break the bank. This was a game changer, making high-quality, safe breast pumps accessible to women all over the world—a development that still underpins many of the pumps available today.
2021: The Night Owl Takes Flight
In 2021, The Night Owl was founded, bringing a new level of convenience to the world of breast pumps. Their wearable breast pumps were designed with modern mums in mind—no more being tethered to a wall or dealing with bulky equipment. These pumps are sleek, discreet, and hands-free, allowing mums to go about their day while expressing milk. Whether you're working, running errands, or just taking a moment for yourself, The Night Owl's innovative design means you can pump on the go, making breastfeeding more manageable and freeing up time for what really matters.
