Dyson

By Don Ellis

very now and then, a design comes along that changes the way we see a certain product. Case in point: the Dyson. Suddenly, a vacuum cleaner is no longer merely a household object. It is a completely re-developed machine, a visually arresting piece of art.

Guided by its founder, James Dyson, the firm is pure success story. Beginning back in 1978 when Dyson realized, while vacuuming his home, his vacuum cleaner was constantly losing suction. He saw that when the bag filled, it clogged, obstructing airflow and causing suction to drop.

Design in general is not so much about the end product as it is about the process, and this is so very true for Dyson; as more than 15 years and 5,000 prototypes later he would in fact develop new technology to solve that vacuum problem. He would produce the first vacuum cleaner that would work in a completely different way: mostly, by being bagless.

The trick was to accelerate the air stream first to 200 mph to thrust out the larger debris and then to a supersonic speed of 924 mph and swirl the dust out by centrifugal force. Unlike regular vacuums that often lose suction power from dust clogging the bag, there is nothing to obstruct the airflow of the machine. Because there is no bag to obstruct the airflow, the Dyson doesn't clog and doesn't lose suction.

The Dyson features cyclone technology with conical chambers that generate 150,000 g's of centrifugal force, pushing dirt into the vacuum's collection compartment. Not only was his design more efficient but it had a unique beauty, with exposed working sections in bright colours. The dirt compartment is easy to check and is quick to empty - just pop it off, hold it over a trash bin, and pull the trigger to release the dirt without ever touching it.

There are no bags or filters to buy. The vacuum comes with a pre-motor filter that captures the smallest of particles and is washable. With its automatic carpet-height adjustment feature, this upright vacuum maintains constant contact with the floor to ensure dust pickup, and its brush turns off at the touch of a button to protect rugs and delicate carpets.

Dyson is currently the fastest growing European manufacturer and the 10th fastest growing business in Europe. The firm has introduced seven models of vacuum cleaners with many varieties, including a cool, self-propelled, robot vacuum cleaner. Dyson has even produced a new type of washing machine with counter-rotating drums.

Dyson's vacuum line-up - including the DC07 Yellow and the DC14 – is now available in Canada retailers. - D.E.