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Thanks to the uncharacteristically hot British summer this year, the summer’s top selling gadget is set to be the Dyson Air Multiplier fan.

The fan, designed by English industrial designer Sir James Dyson, is a departure from the desk fans that we are all used to. It uses a bladeless design; air is drawn in to the base of the fan and forced out through a hoop at the top and gives the illusion that the air comes from nowhere.

The innovative design and sleek looks come at a premium though; the fan weighs in at a hefty £200.

According to the Telegraph, supplies at the Dyson company’s warehouse have run out, and its Malaysian factories have had to work overtime and double their volume of output.

The gadget was unveiled in 2009, but was made available to the general public earlier this year. Although it costs in the region of ten times as much as a common or garden desk fan, Dyson insisted that it would capture the imagination of shoppers. It turns out that he was right; retailers have reported that the gadget is exceptionally popular.

Retailers John Lewis said one in three of all fans they have sold in the last month have been the Dyson bladeless models, and Marks & Spencer reported a fourfold increase in sales of the unit.

Paul Martin, an electrical goods buyer for John Lewis, commented:

"Sales of fans are up 177 per cent year on year and the new Dyson model has led the way.

“Whilst it might be more expensive than a regular desktop fan, customers love the design, the way it works and see it as an investment purchase for the future.”

The design is not the only thing attracting customers to the fan. Customers in department stores can often be seen trying to work out where the blast of air comes from by poking their arm through the ring – and potentially knocking things over as they do so. Should you invest in one, it’s worth checking if it’s covered by your gadget insurance or home insurance as visitors to your home will no doubt do exactly the same.