23-year-old Indian student turns ballpoint pen into world’s smallest vacuum cleaner
The 22-year-old Indian student held the world’s smallest vacuum cleaner record in 2020. He has been trying to earn back the title and achieved it in 2024.
A 23-year-old Indian student, Tapala Nadamuni, who held the title of the creator of world’s smallest vacuum cleaner in 2020 earned it back by creating one from a ballpoint pen. His amazing achievement in reclaiming the Guinness World record has gone viral.

What is considered a vacuum cleaner?
According to Guinness World Records (GWR), the vacuum cleaner, as defined for the purpose of the record, is an “electrically powered device which picks up debris with suction resulting from a negative internal pressure.”
About the world’s smallest vacuum cleaner:
The device measures just 0.65 cm or 0.25 in, which is smaller than the width of an average pinkie fingernail. Moreover, Nadamuni’s latest creation is 0.2 cm smaller than the previous record set in 2022.
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“The vacuum is measured by the shortest axis of its body, meaning the handle and power cord dimensions are excluded from the final measurement,” GWR wrote in a blog about the record.
Why did the students attempt the record again?
The tiny vacuum cleaner that Nadamuni created in 2020 was 1.76 cm. After that, his record was broken, and since then, he has been trying to win it back—and his attempts include two rejected attempts. Finally, he “came with a completely new design” to win the title. Reportedly, he made over 50 schematic diagrams to ensure “his creation met the required standards.”
How did he make the vacuum cleaner?
Initially, Nadamuni faced some challenges with the suction feature while making the devices. Eventually, he corrected it by making several alterations to his design.
Also Read: Indian man breaks his own Guinness World Record by typing with nose
He created it using a refillable ballpoint pen, metal, and some small bits of plastic. The inside of the vacuum has a tiny rotating fan powered by a four-volt vibration motor, which helps create suction.
How does it work?
The vacuum needs to be connected to a power source. After which, it makes a whirring sound and picks up dust particles. The dirt can be emptied afterwards.
(With inputs from GWR Blog)
ABOUT THE AUTHORTrisha SenguptaTrisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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