S&S hoovers up Dyson's memoir

Simon & Schuster is to publish James Dyson's memoir, Invention: A Life, in September 2021.

In the book, Dyson tells the story of his life, from growing up in rural Norfolk and studying at the Royal College of Art, to the inventions he has developed, the companies he has started, and the products he has launched. He reflects on the constant process of failure and learning that he has embraced – reflecting, too, along the way on his engineering and scientific heroes.

The publisher acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Sarah Chalfant at The Wylie Agency. 

Commenting on the book, Ian Marshall, deputy publishing director, said: “This is the story of a creative life. James Dyson is a polymath with a global mind-set and what makes his memoir so compelling is the extraordinary breadth of his interests: inventing, creating, designing, manufacturing, exporting, farming and now educating. His book will appeal to anyone, from the many users of his products, those who are excited about the promise of new technologies, students, and even high-powered c.e.o.s. In Invention: A Life, we get to understand his inspirations, what keeps driving him, and what he has learned through his experiences. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him on this very special book.”

Ian Chapman, c.e.o and publisher at S&S, added: “I’m not an inventor, but as a publisher it seems to me that James Dyson’s story deals with universal themes we can all relate to: facing up to setbacks and overcoming challenges by rethinking what we do and constantly striving to find new ways to do things better. Invention: A Life is an inspirational read that can provide us all with fresh perspectives and help us to achieve more and go further than we ever dreamed was possible.”

Best known for his revolutionary cyclonic vacuum cleaner, Dyson's products have been sold around the world, renowned for their innovative technology. His initiatives include the Dyson Institute of Engineering & Technology, the James Dyson Foundation, and the annual James Dyson Award.

Commenting on the book, he said: “Mine has been a life of constant failure and relentless problem solving, but also one of perpetual learning. That is the mind-set of engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs, which together with a certain naïve intelligence and the mind-set to keep questioning, enables us to pioneer new and different approaches. I never give advice, but I hope my book can inspire young people to pursue lives in technology, science and engineering to help solve the environmental and health problems the world faces today and into the future, and that is why I wanted to share my experiences now.”