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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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Publisher's 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
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- MB
- 05-31-22
Lost the plot
The author shares his perspectives throughout the book but at no point was I clear where the book was heading to. A clearer storyline would've made the book much more appealing, particularly as it is in audio format. On the positive note, it's great to have the author narrate his own book. And I may well end up with a Dyson vacuum cleaner at home :)
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 01-14-22
Wow wow wow
What an extraordinary human being hiding in plane sight. Humbling, thoughtful and inspiring! A treasure!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Len Holder
- 12-02-22
Invention on steroids!
Before I listened to this book the word Dyson did not exist in my vocabulary. I missed out for sure. James achieved many things. The book is truly inspirational. The fact that he is reading it, is special. The input by his son and wife at the end is a suitable Amen to his life. I hope I have the privilege of meeting James some day.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michael Wilson
- 11-20-21
A really great read
Now I might be a tad predisposed to such a tome. I’m an entrepreneur who originally studied industrial design, loves both history, a good yarn and emerging tech (isn’t it an amazing time to be alive). But I really did love this book. Very inspiring.
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