James Dyson — Inventor

1 minute read
By TIME

Vacuum Man

Dyson is best known for his creation of a bagless vacuum cleaner, which works on the principle of cyclonic separation. Initially rejected by major manufacturers, Dyson set up on his own company. His product is now one of the most popular brands on the market.Derek Hudson / Getty

First Model

The G-Force, produced in 1986, was Dyson's first vacuum cleaner. Relying on cyclone technology, it was licensed to a Japanese company and only sold in Japan.Dyson

Prototype of the Future

Dyson went through over 5,000 iterations of his product before he found the combination of elements that worked. In his innovation, debris sucked into the vacuum is gathered by centrifugal force at the top of the chamber, instead of by a filter or a bag, which can easily block up.Dyson

The Ballbarrow

Part of the popularity of the Dyson vacuum cleaner stems from its easy maneuverability. Instead of wheels, it relies on a series of balls, which provide easier turning, much like the Ballbarrow (above), which Dyson invented in 1974.Dyson

Early Models

Dyson set up shop in 1993 in Wiltshire, England, not far from his home. By 1998, when this photo was taken, he had introduced improvements and expanded his market reach.Michael Probst / AP

Gleaming Factory

The headquarters in Malmesbury is now mostly devoted to research and development. Most of the manufacturing has been transferred to Malaysia.Dyson

A Man and His Machine

An engineer who recognized the importance of design, Dyson says that his interest in vacuums developed out of the realization that no one likes them. "If a product doesn't work well," he says, "ultimately you come to loathe it. But if it works well, you come to love it."David Levenson / Getty

Promotional Event

Three inflatable balls, giant versions of the devices in the base of the Dyson vacuum, are brought down the River Thames to publicize the introduction of the Dyson DC15 in 2005.Bruno Vincent / Getty

Success Story

Dyson's drive and ingenuity have made him into a very wealthy man. It is estimated that he is worth £1 billion.Bruno Vincent / Getty

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com