tools
The original tools on the upright Dyson cleaners were made by a 3rd party and were the same as those used on a good deal of vacuum cleaners. The earlier Hoover Turbopower and Turbomaster cleaners had the same, as an example. When Dyson went on to produce their own tools, they initially made a small crevice tool, small dusting brush, and sharp cornered small tool. As you will all know, the DC02 was of course designed to accommodate these tools in the on-board caddy, so they could not be changed, but the Absolute and De Stijl uprights always had the large crevice tool and dusting brush as used on the DC04 range. Towards the end of the 1990's, the basic yellow & grey DC01 came with an identical kit to the 04, even down to the oval shaped swivel small tool.
It was not the tools on the DC01 which commanded the need for an adaptor, it was the shape of the hose cuff. If the user was to attach the tools to the wand, the adaptor was not used, but again you all know this. The need for an adaptor on a Henry is slightly different as it is designed to fit the metal wand which is double ended with a male section on each end. Numatic like to give the user the choice of which way the wand is used, and a jolly good idea it is too as the variouis configurations are useful for low level and high level cleaning.
The fault with the DC04 mains lead is a perfect example of Dyson not paying attention to history. Back in the early 1970's Electrolux had the exact same problem with the mains lead on their new 500 series cleaners. The mains lead left the cleaner on a straight grommet which allowed too much flexibility as to the direction of which the lead could be pulled, and in addition offered little cushioning to sharp tugs. The result was torn leads which would often short-circuit. The answer came in the form of a right-angled flex sleeve which offered a whole lot less flexibility when it came to moving the lead about, but also had much absorption of any strain. Fast forward 20 years and Dyson bought out their new upright cleaner which had the same problem as the Electrolux 500. Dyson even carried this fault on into the DC04 as has been mentioned, and of course decided that a right-angled flex sleeve was required. That, gentlemen, is the "research and design" which Dyson claims adds cost to his cleaners. I hate to be flippant, but I could have shown him this problem and the necessary solution, for a lot less money than it must have cost them.