melvin bissell died in 1889 at the age of 45. upon his death, as wife became the head of the company, becoming the first female ceo in america. the bissell carpet sweeper was patented in 1886, the drive wheels that turned the rotary relocated outside their walls of the sweeper casing. the casing was surrounded with a circled elastic band for preventing the dry wheels and casing from coming into contact and messing up the furniture or wall surfaces. the bissell company is still in existence today in grand rapids, michigan. it is still family-owned. in 1843, at the age of 19, a young quaker named stephen whitman set up a small shop close to the waterfront in philadelphia, pennsylvania, trying to compete with the fine european chocolates of the time. future customers from all walks of life. it was the sailors from the nearby wharf who provided him flavors from their travels. he incorporated all of these delicacies into his chocolates. he began his company selling individual chocolates. by 1854, he introduced his first box of candies.