Diesel Engine

Rudolf Diesel, Germany, patents from 1892-95. The compression-ignition engine of ships, trucks, and trains.

Overview

Diesel patented compression ignition, where air heated by squeeze fires the fuel, far exceeding steam efficiency. US patent 542,846 granted 1895. His first running engine ran 1897 at 26 percent efficiency, double the steam norm. Diesel vanished from an Antwerp steamer in 1913, his death unresolved. The engine's torque and fuel economy made it king of freight. MAN and Sulzer built empires on his licenses. Most of world trade still moves on his compression stroke.