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James Dyson

British inventor and business magnate

Sir James Dyson, born on May 2, 1947, founded the Dyson company and is known for inventing the bagless vacuum cleaner. He is the fifth-richest person in the UK, with a family net worth of £23 billion. Dyson also served as the Provost of the Royal College of Art and established the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology.

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Timeline

Birth of James Dyson

James Dyson, a British inventor, industrial designer, and business magnate, was born on May 2, 1947, in Cromer, Norfolk. He is best known for founding the Dyson company and inventing the bagless vacuum cleaner.

Heading Marine Division at Rotork

Upon leaving the Royal College of Art, James was asked by Jeremy Fry to head-up the new Marine Division of his company, Rotork, despite having no relevant experience.

James Dyson's Work at Rotork Controls Ltd.

In 1970, James Dyson started working for Rotork Controls Ltd. in Bath, Somerset. There, he collaborated with the company's chairman, Jeremy Fry, to design and produce the Sea Truck, a versatile fibreglass landing craft.

Invention of the Ballbarrow

In 1974, James Dyson ventured out on his own after coming up with the idea of the Ballbarrow, a revolutionary plastic barrow with a ball instead of a wheel. This innovative design addressed issues faced by traditional wheelbarrows.

Invention of the bagless vacuum cleaner by James Dyson

In 1978, frustrated with his vacuum cleaner's performance, James Dyson discovered that its bag was clogging with dust, leading to reduced suction. Inspired by an industrial cyclone tower he built, he experimented for five years and 5,127 prototypes to create the world's first bagless vacuum cleaner.

Development of the Bagless Vacuum Cleaner

James Dyson, after facing the issue of vacuum cleaners losing suction quickly due to clogged bags, aimed to design the most efficient vacuum cleaner. After years of experimentation, he created a bagless vacuum cleaner with a unique dust-particle accelerator.

Invention of the first bagless vacuum cleaner by Dyson

In 1984, Dyson successfully invented the first bagless vacuum cleaner after testing 5,127 prototypes over 4 years. This innovation revolutionized the vacuum cleaner industry by eliminating the need for dust bags.

Japanese Apex company contacts James Dyson for DC02 machine improvement

In 1985, the Japanese Apex company reached out to James Dyson to enhance the new DC02 machine, building upon the first generation model. This collaboration led to the creation of a pink machine that was priced at $2,000, yet it gained significant popularity and received multiple design accolades.

Establishment of Dyson Appliances Ltd. by James Dyson

In 1991, following the successful sales of vacuum cleaners in Japan, James Dyson founded Dyson Appliances Ltd. This marked the official beginning of Dyson's venture into the production and sale of innovative household appliances.

In 1996, James Dyson was honored with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions.

James Dyson received the Prince Phillip Designers Prize

In 1997, James Dyson was recognized with the prestigious Prince Phillip Designers Prize for his exceptional design work.

Launch of latest generation wireless handheld vacuum cleaners and Supersonic hair dryers

In 1998, Dyson launched the latest generation of wireless handheld vacuum cleaners and Supersonic hair dryers, solidifying their high-end position in the vacuum cleaner/home appliance industry.

Dyson sues Hoover (UK) for patent infringement

In 1999, Dyson sued Hoover (UK) for patent infringement, leading to a High Court ruling that Hoover had deliberately copied a fundamental part of Dyson's patented designs in making its Triple Vortex bagless vacuum cleaner range.

Threat to Shift Production to Malaysia

In February 2000, Dyson threatened to move production from the UK to Malaysia due to the government's reluctance to join the euro. He cited the challenges faced by his company in competing with European imports and the need for a level playing field.

Second Threat to Move Production Abroad

In November 2000, Dyson reiterated his intention to shift production overseas, criticizing the UK's decision not to join the euro. He expressed concerns about unfair competition and the financial losses incurred by exporting without eurozone membership.

Interview with James Dyson in Three Parts

In 2001, Allan Chochinov conducted a three-part interview with James Dyson, focusing on his innovative engineering designs and ideas.

Production Shift to Far East

In February 2002, Dyson announced the relocation of production to the Far East, indicating a strategic move to enhance competitiveness and address challenges faced in the UK market.

Assembly Transfer to Malaysia

By August 2003, Dyson had shifted the assembly of washing machines from Malmesbury to Malaysia, reflecting a broader trend of relocating operations to optimize costs and remain competitive.

Richard Dimbleby Lecture by James Dyson

On December 9, 2004, James Dyson delivered the Richard Dimbleby Lecture titled 'Engineering the Difference', showcasing his insights into engineering and innovation.

James Dyson appointed a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering

In 2005, James Dyson was recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering for his outstanding achievements in the field of engineering.

James Dyson granted knighthood by Prince Charles

On December 30, 2006, James Dyson was knighted by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

Inauguration of the James Dyson Award

The James Dyson Award was inaugurated in 2007 as an international design award to inspire and celebrate the work of the next generation of design engineers on a global platform. It is part of the James Dyson Foundation's mission to encourage young people in design engineering.

Publication of Ingenious Britain

In March 2010, James Dyson released a report titled Ingenious Britain, proposing policies to enhance innovation in the UK, including promoting unconventional engineering education and fostering collaboration between universities and tech companies.

James Dyson became Royal College of Art provost

Since 2011, James Dyson has held the position of provost at the Royal College of Art, showcasing his commitment to education and design.

James Dyson Foundation Establishment

In 2012, James Dyson established the James Dyson Foundation, a charitable organization aimed at supporting students and teachers in the fields of science, technology, and engineering through bursaries, education programs, and teaching materials.

Support for Higher Education Institutions

James Dyson provided funds for new activities and facilities at The Dyson Building at the Royal College of Art in 2013.

James Dyson Foundation donates £8 million to University of Cambridge

In May 2014, the James Dyson Foundation announced a significant donation of £8 million to create a technology hub at the University of Cambridge, enhancing engineering education and providing resources for undergraduate students.

Dyson Research and Development Expansion

In November 2014, Dyson announced a significant investment of £1.5 billion in research and development, including plans for an expanded campus at the Dyson UK headquarters. This expansion aimed to create thousands of jobs and boost the local economy.

James Dyson Foundation supports Imperial College London

In March 2015, the James Dyson Foundation contributed £12 million to Imperial College London for the establishment of the Dyson School of Design Engineering, facilitating the development of a new master's degree program in design engineering.

Dyson loses case against EU energy labelling laws

In November 2015, Dyson lost a legal case against EU energy labelling laws in the European General Court, but later won an appeal in the European Court of Justice due to the previous ruling being deemed as distorting facts and erring in law.

Dyson Hullavington Research and Development Centre

In March 2016, Dyson revealed plans for a new research and development center at Hullavington, Wiltshire, on a former Ministry of Defence site. This multimillion-pound project aimed to double the company's UK-based workforce and foster technological innovation.

Dyson's Support for Brexit

Prior to the Brexit referendum in June 2016, Dyson publicly endorsed leaving the EU, advocating for economic independence and the ability to negotiate global trade agreements. His stance on Brexit emphasized the potential benefits of exiting the EU Single Market.

Dyson Electric Vehicle Project

In September 2017, Dyson announced plans to develop an electric vehicle, investing £2 billion of his own money. Despite assembling a large team for the project, the venture was later canceled in October 2019 due to commercial viability concerns.

Headquarters Move to Singapore

In January 2019, Dyson's decision to relocate his company's headquarters from Malmesbury to Singapore sparked controversy, with critics accusing him of hypocrisy regarding his pro-Brexit stance. The move raised questions about the implications of Brexit on British businesses.

The James and Deirdre Dyson Trust donates to Gresham's School

In June 2019, The James and Deirdre Dyson Trust donated £18.75 million to Gresham's School for the construction of a new STEAM Education building, showcasing a dedication to enhancing educational facilities.

Dyson Battery Electric Vehicle

In 2020, Dyson introduced a new battery electric vehicle, marking a significant milestone in the company's innovation in the automotive industry.

Innovation at Dyson

Dyson continues to innovate with a growing team of engineers and scientists, fostering more ideas and inventions to drive the company forward.

Dyson Global Headquarters Relocation to St James Power Station

In 2022, Dyson's global headquarters moved to the historic St James Power Station in Singapore, marking a new chapter for the company. The building was faithfully restored and now serves as a significant space for Dyson alongside its other locations worldwide.

Dyson criticizes Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

In January 2023, Dyson publicly criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for imposing high tax bills on corporations, accusing him of penalizing the private sector for political gain.

Dyson accuses Rishi Sunak of neglecting science and technology sector

In May 2023, Dyson accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of neglecting the science and technology sector, referring to it as a 'scandalous neglect' which led to Dyson being recognized as a significant figure in UK politics.

The James and Deirdre Dyson Trust makes donation to Gresham’s School

In November 2023, The James and Deirdre Dyson Trust contributed £35 million to Gresham’s School for the development of a state-of-the-art Prep School with advanced STEAM education facilities, emphasizing a commitment to educational advancement.

End of the Timeline
James Dyson

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