James Dyson: Why we need to re-focus on the old economy

Best known for revolutionizing the vacuum industry with his Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner–and more recently, the equally clever and functional Airblade hand-dryers and Air Multiplier fans–British inventor and engineer James Dyson knows the importance of science and engineering education. He says Britain and the U.S. face similar problems today: Our children are being persuaded to go into professions that are less “geeky” than engineering, and our universities are often training engineers that return home to countries competing with us in the global market. Dyson’s company, which has more than 1,300 patents and patent applications for more than 300 different inventions, just launched its Dyson City vacuum, which is one-third the size of the its full-size vacuums but equally functional. I spoke with Dyson last week by phone. He was in the U.S. visiting his Chicago office and meeting with people in New York to talk about education and engineering. Excerpts of our conversation are below. What are you doing in New York? I’m looking out from the Four Seasons to the leaves changing in Central Park. I’ve never had a room overlooking Central Park, so it’s quite a treat. I’m here [having some discussions about] President Obama’s initiative to… Read full this story

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