James Dyson

The definitive autobiography of James Dyson, the UK's most successful businessman, revealing the secrets of his success and the inspiration behind his inventions

A Life

Invention

Dyson has become a byword for high performing products, technology, design and invention. Now, James Dyson, the inventor and entrepreneur who made it all happen, tells his remarkable and inspirational story in Invention: A Life. Famously, over a four-year period, James Dyson made 5127 prototypes of the cyclonic vacuum cleaner that would transform the way houses are cleaned around the world. In devoting all his resources to iteratively developing the technology, he risked it all, but out ofmany failures and setbacks came hard-fought success. His products - including vacuum cleaners, hair dryers and hair stylers, and fans and purifiers - are not only revolutionary technologies, but design classics. This was a legacy of his time studying at the Royal College of Art in the 1960s, when he was inspired by some of the most famous artists, designers and inventors of the era, as well as his engineering heroes such as Frank Whittle and Alec Issigonis. In Invention: A Life, Dyson reveals how he came to set up his own company and led it to become one of the most inventive technology companies in the world. It is a compelling and dramatic tale, with many obstacles overcome. Dyson has always looked to the future, even setting up his own university to help provide the next generation of engineers and designers. For, as he says, 'everything changes all the time, so experience is of little use'. Whether you are someone who has an idea for a better product, an aspiring entrepreneur, whether you appreciate great design or a page-turning read, Invention: A Life offers you inspiration, hope and much more.

Keven Wang

Boring at some parts. But great inventor journey

Colin Das

Dyson (the person) is a beast with the goal to improve humanity through making quality products using the method of (incremental progress via) changing only one thing at a time and observing the effect. 

This simple approach makes him accessible unlike other the eccentric tech entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk.

He made 5127 iterations of his vacuum __himself__ before getting it right.

The story of his grit is inspiring -- losing his father at a young age and persevering. 

He walks through the story of his designs of the ball barrow to the vacuum to the hand held vacuum to hand driers to beauty products. Seeing it from a more technical standpoint of cyclones and motors gives the product line and the company more cohesiveness and respect. 

Overall, strong recommendation for anyone who appreciates technology, design, and good products -- and a story of perseverance. (Also, he personally narrates the audiobook is which is fun.)

Piet Terheyden

Was pleasantly surprised after having read some negative reviews about his previous book. I thought I knew what the company Dyson is doing, but got taught of a better one. Dyson not only makes the best vacuum cleaners, but worked on its own electric vehicle, built jet engines, invested heavily into farming and became Britain’s biggest farmer in the last few years.

Really enjoyed listening to the story of James Dyson’s personal life (narrated by himself), finding out that he already worked on a high-speed watercraft while studying, or that he never got a degree in engineering. Every new invention drove the development of the next one.

"Famously, over a four-year period, James Dyson made 5,127 prototypes of the cyclonic vacuum cleaner that would transform the way houses are cleaned around the world. Dyson reveals how he came to set up his own company and led it to become one of the most inventive technology companies in the world. Dyson has always looked to the future, even setting up his own university to help provide the next generation of engineers and designers. It is a compelling and dramatic tale, with many obstacles overcome."--Provided by publisher.

Invention A Life