Peter Flinn is a British engineer who originally studied mechanical sciences at the University of Cambridge. He also has an MBA and studied international management at Harvard University. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

During his career, he worked in the aerospace, commercial vehicle, rail, and process industries holding chief engineer, head of engineering, and managing director positions within international organisations. In recent years, he has led the creation of the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry, and the Aerospace Technology Institute in Cranfield, both in the United Kingdom.

Throughout his nearly 50‐year career, he has taken a keen, practical interest in the subject of this book – how to develop technology and products. He has direct experience of technology research work through all phases of development to manufacturing management. The content is based on this experience and, in particular, on what does or does not produce successful results. He hopes that the content of the book will prove useful to engineers, technologists, and investors in these fields.