Rudolf Diesel
A German inventor and mechanical engineer, famous for the invention of the diesel engine.
Most quoted
"The use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today. But such oils may become in the course of time as important as petroleum and the coal tar products of the present time."
— from Speech, 1912
"The internal combustion engine, in its present form, is a very inefficient machine. My aim is to create an engine that converts a much larger percentage of the fuel's energy into useful work."
— from Patent application for the Diesel engine, 1892
"My engine is designed to work with vegetable and seed oils, special fuel oils, and is therefore particularly adapted to the production of power in case of the interruption of the coal supply."
— from Exhibition Statement, 1900
All quotes by Rudolf Diesel (413)
Some people see a problem and despair. I see a problem and immediately think of a more efficient way to solve it.
The world is full of good ideas. My contribution is making them actually work.
My engine is not just a machine; it's a philosophy of power, efficiency, and a healthy disregard for convention.
They say I'm a man of science. I say I'm a man who simply refuses to accept 'good enough'.
My engine doesn't just run; it purrs with the satisfaction of a job well done.
I've been accused of being a workaholic. I prefer to think of it as a passionate pursuit of mechanical perfection.
The greatest joy of invention is not the recognition, but the quiet satisfaction of knowing you've made a difference.
My engine is a symphony of controlled explosions. A beautiful, powerful symphony.
They say I'm a visionary. I say I just have a keen eye for what's wrong with the current state of affairs.
My engine doesn't just consume fuel; it transforms it into raw, unadulterated power. A true alchemist, if you will.
Some people build monuments. I build engines that move mountains, or at least very heavy ships.
The true measure of an invention is not its complexity, but its impact on the world.
My engine is a testament to the fact that sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most profound.
I've been called a stubborn German. I prefer to think of it as unwavering dedication to engineering principles.
My engine doesn't just work; it works with an almost defiant efficiency.
They say I'm a man of progress. I say I'm just a man who hates waste.
The future is not something to be waited for; it is something to be engineered.
My engine is a marvel of modern engineering. And by 'modern,' I mean 'better than anything that came before it.'
I've been told my engine is too loud. I say it's the sound of progress, and progress, my friends, is rarely silent.
The engineer is a creator, and his creations, like those of the artist, can be beautiful and inspiring.
Contemporaries of Rudolf Diesel
Other Engineerings born within 50 years of Rudolf Diesel (1858–1913).