In this paper, the authors focus on the proposition of an innovative semi-active linear damper prototype working on the basis of granularmaterials. Vacuum Packed Particles (VPP) belong to the class of materials whose mechanical (rheological, dissipative) propertiesmay be quickly changed by applying a partial vacuum inside the system. The concept of an innovative linear damper based on VPP is presented in the paper. Typical experimental results are presented to reveal changeable damping characteristics of the device. Additionally, the mathematical model is proposed to capture extraordinary features of the investigated damper.