Invention

A Life of Learning Through Failure

By: James Dyson

Narrated by: James Dyson

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

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, "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 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 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 pause-resisting story, Invention: A Life offers you inspiration, hope, and much more.

©2021 James Dyson. All rights reserved. Originally published in Great Britain in 2021 by Simon & Schuster UK. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Inspiring

I read his first book, and bought this as soon as I heard about it. Great listen, lots of wisdom to apply in the building of my own business and the products my team and I create. Thanks for the great insight into your life, triumphs and set backs James. Keep inventing. (And please make a fridge will you? )

great to hear from the inventor and founder himsel

lovely to hear the voices of his wife and son. got to know the man behind the biz and inventions. truly incredible his journey. I went out and got a dyson vaccum after listening to his story.

Remarkably inspirational

Truly a life well lived. Encouraging and empowering at a time when the world needs it more than ever

As a young entrepreneur myself James Dyson has become a newfound role model and hopefully one day Mentor.

I cannot wait to submit my passion and skills to such righteous causes as Dyson has and be a force/ engine for improving our world through compassionate business practices and engineering solutions

Thank you to the producer, thank you To James himself, and thank you to Guy Raz and the team at NPR’s “how I built this” for having James Dyson on and bringing me to this truly inspirational life story

Great entrepreneur. Horribly boring book

Dyson is a remarkable entrepreneur but this has no storyline, no interesting lessons or frameworks or anything that make it interesting. It is just a highlight reel of Dyson's life. There is no self-reflection on anything he might have done wrong or mistakes he might have made.

There are no lessons to learn from if you are an entrepreneur or business owner as you might get in Cable Cowboy about John Malone. There are no harrowing stories like you get in Phil Knight's Shoe Dog.

This book was made for Dyson as a PR exercise. If you care deeply about the intricacies of engineering of a vacuum cleaner, there might be some things of interest in here.

It's unfortunate given how great of an entrepreneur he is.

Great look into the Dyson story

Great book, the only thing is the jump in the timeline which is a bit hard to follow on audio.

Great entrepreneurial story

Authentic story of ups and downs of building something inspiring. So much that I didn’t know about the history and mission behind dyson.

Great story but painful to listen

great story but, I hate to say, the lisp on the "s" sound is painful to hear to often and deep.

A surprise for a non-engineer

Having no real connection to the UK, manufacturing or engineering I found this to be an amazing story. A story of family love and commitment, extreme determination and persistence that is hard to imagine. Very surprised by this book. (And I have a new vacuum on the way!)

Talk about Perseverance!

I am a person who loves reading biographies, as I find that every successful person in life has had to overcome hardships, challenges, and disappointment. Dyson is no exception., His drive to succeed is inspirational and it's cool to hear his story directly from him. I always say the most amazing thing about Audible, is that these incredible people are reading their book to you!
The only negative could be the tendency for him to talk about all the amazing things Dyson is doing now, but hey, if I built this company I would probably want to do the same.

great listen

history I didn't know ... products I didn't know about ... cares about people & the environment!