Invention

A Life of Learning Through Failure

By: James Dyson

Narrated by: James Dyson

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.

Inspiring!!

Dyson’s story is amazing - as is often the case with innovators and entrepreneurs. He could have given up hundreds of times - and nobody would have blamed him - yet he didn’t. Stories such as this are a huge encouragement to me!

One of the best founders stories I’ve ever read!

This was an absolutely lovely book. What stands out the most to me is his passion and adaptability. It’s so difficult to be the Founder, keep the company private and still scale the way he’s scaled. Amazing story!

An amazing autobiography

This is a great account of James Dyson’s personal life, struggles, and achievements by the man himself. He even narrates the entire book and I would have it no other way. Otherwise, you wouldn’t get the emotion from the struggles like when his dad died. Definitely also prefer the audio version because of this. It’s also a nice manual on what it takes to build (physical) things.

Evolutionarily superb!

This book is an outstanding (not boring) biography, entrepreneurship book and life-philosophy book, as well as an exhilarating introduction to design and engineering. I loved every chapter!

Thank you god! For James Dyson

It’s his chapter on the “Future” that totally sets the stage for all people young and old to stop complaining and blaming others for all the wrong in the world. We are creatures of problem solving and we all need to get to working on solutions as Sir Dyson lives by.