Book Review: Against the Odds by James Dyson

Against the Odds: An Autobiography by James Dyson.

I don't often read autobiographies but have been given a few recently, of which this was one of them, and actually it was a very good read.  The book accounts little of Dyson's life, except a few annecdotes that give an insight into how his mind works, but details the struggle he had over fifteen (!) long years to get the, now famous, Dyson vacuum* into production.  (*I wrote 'hoover' the first time, but thought if Mr Dyson was to stumble across this blog he wouldn't be too pleased. LoL)

In the later chapters, there is a brief guide to being an inventor, overcoming some problems and starting your own business.  What I found most interesting, though, is the parallels between Dyson's way of thinking and home education.  Just because something is the norm, everyone does it, does not mean that it is the best.  So what if everyone uses bags in their vacuum?  A better cleaner is bagless.  So what if everyone sends their children to school?  A better education can be given at home.  This comparison is further emphasised by the fact that Dyson doesn't (or didn't, when he started up) have any engineering qualifications at all.  Being determined to succeed overcomes the perceived wisdom that only engineers invent, only designers design, only businessmen can run a business.  Can only schools teach?