insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 11 - January 2016 | Page 90

BUSINESS

INTERVIEW WITH
INVENTOR AND BUSINESSMAN

James Dyson
How did your talent for inventing show
itself in your early years?
I had a natural curiosity for the inner workings
of things. As a child I would leave a trail of
parts in my wake. I was always dismantling old
radios, trying to understand how they worked.
You started in industrial design, I believe
with the Rotork Sea Truck; what took you
into consumer design?
22 years ago, I bought what was the top of
the range vacuum cleaner, a Hoover Junior.
The machine didn’t work properly. It was
clear that dust clogged the pores in the bag,
compromising the machine’s suction. I had this
nagging feeling that there was a better way to
do it. It may have taken 5,127 prototypes to
create a fully functioning alternative, but the
result was the world’s first bagless vacuum
cleaner. This marked my transition to consumer
goods.
How did you and your family struggle in
the early days of your career? Were there
moments when you doubted yourself?
At times, it was incredibly tough. My wife,
Deirdre, was, and still is, tremendously
supportive. We re-mortgaged our house and
racked up a lot of debt. But I strongly believe in
taking risks and perseverance. Two key traits
we look for in Dyson people.
What is it that drives you to find ever-more
inventive ways of doing things?
Frustration fuels invention. Engineers are wired
to act on frustration and work out a better
way of doing. There are 2,500 engineers and
scientists at Dyson, and together we overcome
everyday frustrations by trying out new ways.
Quite often we make mistakes along the way,
but that’s how you learn.
Can you say what projects you’re working
on now?
Our engineers are working on a 25-year
pipeline of future technology. Some of them
will come to fruition, some won’t. But I can’t
tell you what we are working on. All I can say is
watch this space.

What has been your favourite invention?
Why?
That’s like asking me to choose a favorite child!
Every machine that we produce marks a step
change in our problem solving capabilities. If I
have to choose, the Dyson Digital Motor (DDM)
which we have invested over £250m in the
development of may be it. The DDM spins up
to five times faster than a Formula One engine
enabling our cordless machines to match the
suction of corded, full size vacuums.
The Dyson Airblade hand dryer has been
credited with being the only air hand dryer
that actually works. How does that make
you feel?
Our Airblade technology shook up the
business of drying hands. In particular that
of the uninventive paper towel industry who
continue to deforest, mulch and add toxic
chemicals to our environment. Not to mention
failing to reduce the spread of nasty bacteria
and viruses. We will persist to develop
this technology and ensure people leave
bathrooms with clean, dry hands.
Tell us about the Dyson Foundation.
The James Dyson Foundati ۈ