Duncan Bell is visiting Dyson

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

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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.