Fear is always a good motivator.

The way the world is going, it's technology driven. And it isn't just driven by the old super powers, it's driven by the far east and new emerging economies.

I've obviously used fans - I wouldn't say all my life, because we couldn't afford them when I was young, but from my 20s and onwards we've had to use fans. And I've always loathed them. Everything about them. The way you adjust them, getting them at the angle you want. Carrying them. Cleaning them. The danger of putting your finger in them.

Everyone has ideas. They may be too busy or lack the confidence or technical ability to carry them out. But I want to carry them out. It is a matter of getting up and doing it.

Cordless vacuums are designed for quick jobs, but you need enough power to do the job; you don't want the power waning over time.

[In my home workshop,] generally I'm mending things, which is interesting because you learn a lot about why they broke.

An inventor's path is chorused with groans, riddled with fist-banging and punctuated by head scratches.