Invention: A Life” is James Dyson’s autobiographical memoir, chronicling his journey from early mechanical creations—like the Sea Truck and Ballbarrow—to monumental breakthroughs in design and technology. It highlights his relentless prototyping (5,127 vacuums before success), his aversion to traditional business formulas, and his commitment to education and mentorship. Rather than focusing on business tactics, the book emphasizes engineering curiosity, learning through failure, and the societal importance of practical problem-solving.
Invention: A Life
I made 5,127 prototypes of my vacuum before I got it right. There were 5,126 failures. But I learned from each one.
