James Dyson

Profits at Dyson's eponymous vacuum firm doubled last year, thanks to investment in research and international expansion. Best known for creating the bag-less vacuum, but debuted his latest invention in 2010: a futuristic bladeless fan. Attended art school to study design and engineering. Ran through 5,127 prototypes until he perfected G-Force, an upright vacuum using spinning technology to maintain constant suction. Introduced product in U.K. in 1993; it was an immediate hit. Guards technology zealously. Last year, he called on UK Prime Minister David Cameron to protect intellectual property against Chinese counterfeiters.