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Fact File about the Invention of the Diesel Engine: Invention *** Date of Invention: 1893 *** Name of Inventor: Rudolf Diesel *** Lifespan of Inventor: 1858 - 1913 *** Nationality of Inventor: German *** Historical Period: Second US Industrial Revolution / Victorian (1850 - 1914) *** Category: Transportation *** Country of Origin: Germany *** Facts about the Inventor and his invention *** Fact 1: Who invented the Diesel Engine? The Diesel Engine was invented by Rudolf Diesel in 1893 during the Second US Industrial Revolution era of inventions (1850 - 1914). Fact 3: Who invented the Diesel Engine? In 1886 the German inventor Karl Benz is credited with inventing the first true gasoline car and the Automobile Industry really took off sparking advances and innovations in the car industry. Fact 6: Who invented the Diesel Engine? Rudolf Diesel was educated at Technical University of Munich but was unable to graduate in his 1879 class because he was seriously ill with typhoid fever. He was sent to Switzerland to convalesce and during this period spent his time at the engineering of the Sulzer Brothers Machine Works in Winterthur. Fact 9: Who invented the Diesel Engine? In 1883, Rudolf married Martha Flasche and the couple had two sons Rudolf Jr. and Eugen, and a daughter called Heddy. Fact 10: Who invented the Diesel Engine? Rudolf was fascinated by all aspects of new technology especially in relation to the development of the internal combustion engine which was pioneered by men such as Jean Joseph Etienne Lenoir, Nikolaus Otto and Nicholas Carnot. Fact 14: Who invented the Diesel Engine? He was granted patents for his design in Germany and other countries, including the United States. U.S. Patent 542,846 was granted on July 16, 1895 for the "method of and apparatus for converting heat into work" and U.S. Patent 608,845 on August 9, 1898 for "Improvements in Internal-Combustion Engines" Fact 15: Who invented the Diesel Engine? Diesel originally designed his invention to use coal dust as fuel but was eventually reworked to use liquid fuel obtained from petroleum distillation. Fact 16: Who invented the Diesel Engine? The simple design of the Diesel Engine and its high efficiency made his invention an immediate commercial success and used to make diesel-engine locomotives and railcars, submarines and ships. It was not until the 1930's that the diesel-engines were used in automobiles. Fact 17: Who invented the Diesel Engine? The success of his invention prompted Rudolf to claim that his engines would replace all other forms of motive power including steam and gasoline engines. Fact 18: Who invented the Diesel Engine? Rudolf's outspoken remarks resulted in criticism and made him enemies from competitors in the industry Fact 19: Who invented the Diesel Engine? Rudolf Diesel died on September 29, 1913 in the most mysterious of circumstances. He had boarded the steamer 'Dresden' en route to London to attend the Consolidated Diesel Manufacturing meeting, had dinner and retired to his cabin at 10pm. He was never seen again - he had vanished. |