Dyson. As a symbol of independent entrepreneurship, it has become a UK institution, formed largely on the twin pillars of founder James Dyson's engineering know-how, and his visionary leadership.
And given that such a description isn't a million miles away from the public perception of another iconic business visionary, could Dyson come up with a mobile phone the public would be interested in buying? Turns out the man himself doesn't entirely rule it out.
Before we go on, I'm not saying Dyson and Apple are apples and... well, you know – or indeed that James Dyson is in the same league as Steve Jobs.
But there's no denying that both companies have built a name for themselves on their design principles, aesthetically appealing products and innovative approach to the markets they're in, and in both cases it's largely thanks to the efforts of a single person.
Maybe that's why the conversation at a recent London event turned to the (unlikely) possibility of a Dyson smartphone ever appearing. For his part, Dyson played the good sport, and delivered just the kind of soundbite everyone was hoping for: “we would consider making mobile phones, but only if we had a technology that was really interesting,” he said.
To his credit, Dyson then warmed to his task, boldly claiming that: “a lot of people design to a price. I don't do that. I'm not afraid of putting in things that cost more if I think they make a product better.”
That's an easy point to make when you're not talking specifics, but then again James Dyson is probably more entitled than most and the unlikely prospect of Dyson turning its hand to mobile technology gives him licence to talk freely.
Will Dyson ever make a mobile phone? No, we're almost completely certain it won't. But still, we wouldn't mind seeing it have a go...
Via TechRadar