James Dyson — Questions and answers

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What was special about James Dyson's DC01 vacuum cleaner when it was first shown?

Choices

  1. It was the world's first cyclonic bagless vacuum cleaner. ✓
  2. It came in many different colors like red and blue.
  3. It was designed to only be used in big factories.
  4. It needed new bags every time it was used.

Answer: It was the world's first cyclonic bagless vacuum cleaner.

From page 1

Before creating vacuum cleaners, what kind of projects did James Dyson work on to solve problems?

Choices

  1. He built very tall buildings and bridges.
  2. He made an amphibious landing craft and a wheelbarrow with a ball instead of a wheel. ✓
  3. He designed new types of cooking stoves and refrigerators.
  4. He wrote books about famous artists.

Answer: He made an amphibious landing craft and a wheelbarrow with a ball instead of a wheel.

From page 2

What did James Dyson see that made him think about a new way to build vacuum cleaners?

Choices

  1. A giant fan blowing leaves in a park.
  2. A dishwasher using strong jets of water.
  3. A sawmill using a cyclonic separator to remove sawdust. ✓
  4. A car wash using powerful sprays.

Answer: A sawmill using a cyclonic separator to remove sawdust.

From page 3

How long did James Dyson work in his workshop, trying many different designs for his new vacuum cleaner?

Choices

  1. Just a few months.
  2. One whole year.
  3. Five years. ✓
  4. Ten years.

Answer: Five years.

From page 4

What was the name of the working prototype vacuum cleaner that James Dyson finally perfected?

Choices

  1. The Suction Master.
  2. The Cyclone 5000.
  3. The G-Force. ✓
  4. The Dust Eliminator.

Answer: The G-Force.

From page 5

Why did big appliance companies like Electrolux and Hoover not want to buy James Dyson's invention?

Choices

  1. They thought his vacuum cleaner was too colorful.
  2. They already made a lot of money selling disposable bags for their own vacuums. ✓
  3. They believed people preferred using brooms instead of vacuums.
  4. They didn't think anyone would buy a new kind of vacuum cleaner.

Answer: They already made a lot of money selling disposable bags for their own vacuums.

From page 6

What big decision did James Dyson make in 1991 when no one else wanted his design?

Choices

  1. He decided to stop making vacuum cleaners forever.
  2. He went to work for Electrolux instead.
  3. He started his own company, Dyson Appliances Ltd. ✓
  4. He gave his invention away for free.

Answer: He started his own company, Dyson Appliances Ltd.

From page 7

What happened to the DC01 vacuum cleaner after it was launched in 1993?

Choices

  1. It was not very popular and quickly forgotten.
  2. It became the best-selling vacuum cleaner in the UK within 18 months. ✓
  3. People thought it was too expensive and didn't buy it.
  4. Other companies quickly copied it before it became successful.

Answer: It became the best-selling vacuum cleaner in the UK within 18 months.

From page 8

Besides vacuum cleaners, what other kinds of inventions did James Dyson's company create?

Choices

  1. Cars and airplanes.
  2. Airblade hand dryers and bladeless fans. ✓
  3. Toasters and coffee makers.
  4. Washing machines and refrigerators.

Answer: Airblade hand dryers and bladeless fans.

From page 9

What did James Dyson establish to help teach new engineers and innovators?

Choices

  1. A new type of elementary school.
  2. A museum about old inventions.
  3. The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology. ✓
  4. A TV show about science experiments.

Answer: The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology.

From page 10