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Invention
- A Life
- Narrated by: James Dyson
- Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins
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Invention
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Summary
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 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 developing the technology, he risked it all, but out of many 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 compelling story, Invention: A Life offers you inspiration, hope and much more.
What listeners say about Invention
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- SH
- 04-09-21
An interesting business life, well told
So very glad to read this. Hearing the perspective of such an important leader, first hand. It’s pure gold.
Ps: Next time you do an audio book James, do get in touch. We’d do a better job than editors of this one. Or your money back!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alishair D'Whitt
- 07-11-21
Wonderfully inspiring
I always prefer an audiobook which has been read by the author and James Dyson's delivery is wonderfully calm and precise. His values and design principles are inspiring and his is a path I wish more would follow.
I was especially interested in his experience dealing with attitudes to manufacturing in different countries and sadly can only agree with his view of the short-sighted and ill-educated attitude of government and the civil service in the UK.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- VR
- 11-10-21
Brilliantly written and truly inspiring.
A quintessential perfectionist. Proud to have such an individual represent Britain on a global scale. If you’ve read Steve Jobs’ biography (which I also highly recommend), you will also love and appreciate this. Very well written, and yes some sentences are repeated in this version of the audiobook, but very minor and just needs post-production editing refinements.
A great read overall!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 25-04-22
Grounding, honest and a truly inspirational tale
The journey of a remarkable determined inventor. Real struggle that inventors face and thr grit to push on regardless. Incredible contribution to education providing the best model for debt free study I've ever heard of.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kez
- 05-10-22
illuminating
in awe of James Dyson. His belief in his ideas, the hotspur to put everything on the line to deliver yet another world beating product. His dismay at the UK Government attitude to engineering (amongst other failings like education, planning, sleeze) and how he powered through it and untrustworthy business partners who thought they could run roughshod over the little guy. truly inspirational and a salutary lesson.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- D. Withington
- 10-11-22
Fascinating
Well written and well read. I learned quite a lot about James, his company, and his entrepreneurial and inventive spirit. Inspiring too.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 03-10-21
Eccentric British inventor creates fortune from shed…
A good old fashioned rags to riches story; madcap British eccentric inventor changes the world from their shed, except it’s not set in the gloomy smog of the industrial revolution with kids sweeping chimneys.
Enjoyable in the whole and good to hear it narrated by the man himself, which gives a genuine insight into his obsessive compulsion to solve problems we didn’t know needed solving, commitment to excellence and his passion for design and engineering - interspersed with rants about how terrible the UK is at valuing the manufacturing industry and cultivating entrepreneurialism - albeit he is trying to make a difference through the Dyson university.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- DAVID
- 19-03-22
A true entrepreneur
Brilliantly written and narrated. Read several chapters more than once.Would thoroughly recommend it to budding entrepreneurs and politicians!
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- Siwen Mao
- 16-01-23
Great insight into all the key inventions and many great life advice
Hope to see more people to be inspired by mr Dyson and as an engineering student appreciate what he has done for the field
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Shaun
- 13-09-23
Great Listen
Great to hear the origin story of such a big brand. James as the narrator is a little hard to listen to at times but hearing him tell his life story is certainly entertaining.
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