Rudolf Diesel the inventor of the diesel engine, a German engineer born in 1858, was the creator of the diesel engine, one of the most important inventions in the history of transportation and industry. In 1892, Diesel patented his design of an internal combustion engine that used air compression to ignite the fuel, rather than relying on a spark, as gasoline engines did. This system allowed for greater efficiency and lower fuel consumption. The first functional diesel engine was successfully tested in 1897, and quickly caught the attention of the industry. Companies like MAN and Krupp began making engines based on their design, and soon their technology expanded to boats, trains and trucks. Diesel's life, however, was full of ups and downs. In 1913, while traveling on a ship from Belgium to England, he disappeared under mysterious circumstances. His body was found days later at sea, prompting many theories about his death, ranging from financial problems to industrial conspiracies. Despite his tragic end, his legacy lives on in every diesel engine that moves the world. His invention transformed transportation, industry and power generation, solidifying his place as one of the most influential engineers in history.