The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I

Published in 2023, The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I is author Douglas Brunt’s fourth book. The nonfiction account of the disappearance of internal combustion engine inventor Rudolf Diesel just before the outbreak of war became a New York Times Best Seller and received positive reviews from The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

This guide refers to the 2023 Atria Books Print Edition of the book.

Content Warning: The source material includes descriptions of domestic violence, death by suicide, and suicidal ideation, as well as references to racism, xenophobia, nationalism, and misogyny.

Summary

In 1913, Rudolf Diesel, a renowned scientist and inventor, disappeared under mysterious circumstances. His body was pulled from the sea by a group of sailors, who then returned it to the water after recovering distinctive objects. Rudolf Diesel's death shocked the world and led to speculation about his demise, including rumors of assassination.

Rudolf Diesel was born in 1858 in Paris, France, to Bavarian immigrants Theodor and Elise Diesel. He grew up in a family that valued the arts and music, and he had a passion for science and innovation. However, his father wanted him to join him in his leather workshop, which Rudolf had no interest in. The family faced xenophobia in France due to political tensions, which eventually drove them to London, England. It was there that Rudolf was inspired by the terrible conditions of the working class and determined to invent something that would improve their lives. He was invited by cousins to live with them in Augsburg, Germany, and get a formal education. After graduating from the Technical University of Munich, he began to work with his former professor, refrigeration entrepreneur Carl von Linde.

German Kaiser Wilhelm II was groomed by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to be conservative and nationalistic. When Wilhelm became emperor in 1888, his main focus was to strengthen Germany's military power. The increased militarism in Germany led to tensions between major powers, pushing the world toward the brink of war.

Diesel developed an internal combustion engine, succeeding after years of work. The diesel engine had the potential to revolutionize industry, but although it attracted commercial interest from various companies, it still needed further development and faced challenges in mass production.

Diesel's engine caught the attention of two powerful figures: John D. Rockefeller and Kaiser Wilhelm II. Rockefeller saw the invention as a threat to his position in the fossil fuel industry. Meanwhile, Wilhelm recognized the potential of the diesel engine for Germany's imperial aspirations, particularly in strengthening the Navy. In 1910, Diesel won the Grand Prix at the Brussels International Exposition for his lighter-weight version of the engine. He collaborated with engineering firms and gave lectures across Europe and America, advocating for the adoption of diesel technology. However, Diesel's sudden disappearance in 1913 while aboard the SS Dresden sparked mystery and intrigue, leading to various theories about his fate. Despite extensive searches and investigations, what happened to him remains unknown.

The prevailing theory about Diesel's disappearance is death by suicide, but some speculate that notable figures like John D. Rockefeller and Kaiser Wilhelm II were involved in his demise. Brunt argues that Diesel did not die in 1913, but most likely defected to England. Reports of Diesel sightings in Canada, working on projects related to Winston Churchill, emerged in the years following his disappearance.

Diesel's legacy was the dominance of his engine in various industries, but the positive change he hoped to bring was overshadowed by the technology’s military and industrial applications. His death left behind an enigmatic legacy that reflects the intersection of innovation, geopolitics, and individual destiny.