James Dyson
British inventor of the bagless cyclonic vacuum cleaner and founder of Dyson
- Age
- 79 yrs
- Birthday in 177 days
- Works listed
- 3
- Product, Vacuum cleaner
- Honours
- 3
- Most recent 2016
- Profile views
- 3
- 0 followers
Sir James Dyson is a British inventor and industrial designer who created the bagless Dual Cyclone vacuum cleaner after building 5,127 prototypes. His company Dyson also makes hand dryers, fans, hair-care products and air purifiers, and he is one of the UK’s richest people.
Biography
Education and the Ballbarrow
Dyson studied at the Byam Shaw School of Art and the Royal College of Art. His early inventions included the Sea Truck boat and the Ballbarrow, a wheelbarrow with a ball instead of a wheel.
The cyclone
Frustrated that his vacuum cleaner lost suction as its bag filled, he was inspired in 1978 by the cyclone used to remove paint dust at a sawmill. Over five years he built 5,127 prototypes. British manufacturers turned him down, so he licensed the design in Japan, where the G-Force cleaner sold from 1986.
Dyson Ltd
In 1993 he launched the DC01 under his own name. It became Britain’s best-selling vacuum within two years. The company expanded into the Airblade hand dryer, bladeless fans and the Supersonic hairdryer, and moved its headquarters to Singapore in 2019.
Recognition and education
Dyson was knighted in 2007 and appointed to the Order of Merit in 2016. He founded the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, where students earn degrees while working, and supports the James Dyson Award for young inventors.
Timeline
-
1947
Born in Cromer, Norfolk, England
-
1974
Ballbarrow launched
-
1978
Begins cyclone vacuum work
-
1983
Completes his prototype
-
1986
G-Force sold in Japan
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1993
Dyson DC01 launched
-
2006
Airblade hand dryer
-
2007
Knighted
-
2017
Dyson Institute opens
Notable works
-
1974
Ballbarrow Product
-
1993
Dyson DC01 Vacuum cleaner
-
1997
Against the Odds Autobiography
Awards and honours
-
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
1998
-
Knight Bachelor
2007
-
Order of Merit
2016
Did you know?
-
1
The G-Force in Japan was pink.
-
2
Dyson worked on an electric car but cancelled it in 2019.
-
3
He owns large areas of farmland in England.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is James Dyson?
Sir James Dyson is a British inventor and industrial designer who created the bagless Dual Cyclone vacuum cleaner after building 5,127 prototypes. His company Dyson also makes hand dryers, fans, hair-care products and air purifiers, and he is one of the UK’s richest people.
How old is James Dyson?
James Dyson is 79 years old, born on 2 May 1947 in Cromer, Norfolk, England.
Where is James Dyson from?
James Dyson was born in Cromer, Norfolk, England.
What is James Dyson known for?
James Dyson is best known for Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum; Dyson company; Airblade dryer; Dyson Institute.
What awards has James Dyson received?
Notable honours include Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1998), Knight Bachelor (2007), Order of Merit (2016).
References
- James Dyson — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- James Dyson — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Official website. www.jamesdysonfoundation.com. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- James Dyson (Q1346101) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “James Dyson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 4 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“James Dyson.” TrackFame, last updated 5 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/james-dyson
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