Duncan Bell is visiting Dyson

Three interactions with retro tech make it clear that the past ain’t what it used to be

Do you remember that happy time, oh so long ago, when Dyson was known for making stylish and groundbreaking homewares, rather than stylish and groundbreaking ventilators? I do, and just before the world went loopy and the police started arresting people for shopping for non-essential Easter eggs, I was fortunate enough to go to the Dyson headquarters in Malmesbury. Who could turn that down? Apart from anything else, ‘Malmesbury’ is very pleasing to say out loud, especially in a Roger Moore voice. Mmm…almesbury. At the time, I was allowed out of the house, and Dyson had a new product to show off: the Corrale hair straightener.