Rudolf Diesel

Born: 1858 | Died: 1913

Engineer

Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel was born in Paris to German parents. He completed his education in England and at the polytechnic school in Munich where he became the protégé of Carl von Linde, a famous inventor. After being employed as a machinist and designer in Winterthur, Switzerland, he returned to Paris where he worked for the Linde Refrigeration Enterprise, the company of his former professor in Munich.

Diesel set up his first shop-laboratory in Paris in 1885, now working full time on his engine. In 1892 he was granted a German patent for the engine, which was ready for testing in July of 1893. On August 10, 1893, a Diesel motor functioned by itself for the first time. Diesel kept on working on his invention and in1896, he presented an improved model which was sold successfully.

Diesel built the first successful motor that did not need expensive fuel and joined the company Krupp in Essen, Germany. In 1898, after having sold many licenses Diesel became very wealthy. The Diesel engine ended up replacing the steam engine.

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