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.

Having a good idea is one thing, but persuading other people to buy it is quite another. Good inventors are polymaths: they think with their hands and their brains. They're experts in design, engineering and business.

So I think the winners in recession are the people who produce new technology that does things better, which people really want.

I've fought court battles over my inventions before.

At school, I enjoyed playing the bassoon. I was in the orchestra and played the melody when the other boys sang hymns at prayers time.

I think people are realizing that engineering and science are extremely good degrees to get and you'll be very highly paid once you've got them.

You need a stubborn belief in an idea in order to see it realised.