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.
James Dyson was born on May 2, 1947, in Cromer, Norfolk, England. He is a British inventor, industrial designer, and entrepreneur known for manufacturing innovative household appliances.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 June 1993, James Dyson opened a research center and factory near his home in England to start manufacturing his machine.
In 1996, James Dyson was honored with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions.
In 1997, James Dyson was recognized with the prestigious Prince Phillip Designers Prize for his exceptional design work.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In 2001, Allan Chochinov conducted a three-part interview with James Dyson, focusing on his innovative engineering designs and ideas.
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.
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.
On December 9, 2004, James Dyson delivered the Richard Dimbleby Lecture titled 'Engineering the Difference', showcasing his insights into engineering and innovation.
In 2005, James Dyson was recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering for his outstanding achievements in the field of engineering.
On December 30, 2006, James Dyson was knighted by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.
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.
In 2008, Dyson publicly expressed his belief that it is not right to base business decisions solely on tax reasons, emphasizing that businesses should operate where they can perform best.
In October 2009, Dyson introduced the Air Multiplier, a bladeless fan that later incorporated functions like heating, air-purifying, and humidifying. This groundbreaking design changed the concept of traditional fans.
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.
Since 2011, James Dyson has held the position of provost at the Royal College of Art, showcasing his commitment to education and design.
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.
James Dyson provided funds for new activities and facilities at The Dyson Building at the Royal College of Art in 2013.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In April 2016, Dyson launched the Dyson Supersonic, a smaller and quieter hair dryer. This product aimed to revolutionize the hair care industry with its innovative design and advanced technology.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In 2020, Dyson introduced a new battery electric vehicle, marking a significant milestone in the company's innovation in the automotive industry.
Dyson continues to innovate with a growing team of engineers and scientists, fostering more ideas and inventions to drive the company forward.
Engineers and scientists from Britain, Singapore, and Malaysia collaborate to invent and enhance Dyson machines, drawing expertise from various fields such as fluid dynamics, robotics, acoustics, electronics, and microbiology.
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.
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.
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.