Invention, James Dyson
Invention, James Dyson
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Invention
A Life of Learning Through Failure

Author: James Dyson

Narrator: James Dyson

Unabridged: 11 hr 33 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/07/2021


Synopsis

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, “one of the year’s most relevant and revelatory business books” (The Wall Street Journal).

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. In devoting all his resources to iteratively setbacks came hard-fought success. His products—including vacuum cleaners, hair dryer 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 Alex 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 is an “entertaining and inspiring memoir” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) that offers motivation, hope, and much more.

About James Dyson

James Dyson was born in Norfolk in 1947 and studied at the Royal College of Art in London, before joining Rotork to engineer and make the Sea Truck, a high-speed flat-bottomed boat, with Jeremy Fry. Best known for his revolutionary cyclonic vacuum cleaner, his products have been sold around the world, renowned for their innovative technology, design, and efficiency. James believes that engineers can improve the world and he helps them to do so through the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, The James Dyson Foundation, and the annual James Dyson Award.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Bakunin

Could be my favorite autobiography by an entpreneur/inventor. There are so many insights into as to how to best create a thriving longterm business, how to live a creative life and how to go against the grain. James Dyson invented the cyclonic vacuum cleaner and went onto create a company worth 6.5......more

Goodreads review by Ronson

“We should be encouraging the young to become doers, rather than virtue signallers, to help them strive to solve the problems of their age while looking forward to a better future” “I wasn’t even trained as an engineer or scientist. I did, however, have the bloody-mindedness not to follow convention,......more

Goodreads review by Miha

I was always a big fan of Dyson products and this book pretty much solidified my views about the company. They really care about engineerins details and will go against the grain if it means they might create a better product. They believe in family ownership of the company which I could not agree m......more

This was a difficult book to read. There is a lot of technical details in the book which makes some the chapters a bit dry. I also felt that there was too much marketing to the DYSON company which was something I did not like. The author tells his story from a career point view with few personal sto......more

Goodreads review by Min Hui

Can you imagine 5,127 vacuum cleaners? Because I can’t. I have no idea how he managed to fail 5,126 times and yet continued for the 5,127th time. The degree of determination and resilience he shows is astounding. I love this book because of how his passion for design, engineering and art oozes throug......more