1869: Chicago inventor Ives W. McGaffey received a patent for a “sweeping machine.” It was an early version of a vacuum cleaner. Relatively light and compact, his model had a tricky hand crank and an ...

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 8, according to the Tribune’s archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Sports flashback: June 8, 1971 ...