On August 9, 1898, U,S, Patent No. 608,845 issued to Rudolf Diesel on an Internal Combustion Engine (the “Diesel Engine”):

Diesel engines are more efficient than, and thus an important replacement for, steam engines or gasoline engines. Unfortunately, Diesel was not able to enjoy the success of his invention. He disappeared on the evening of 29 September 1913, Diesel disappeared from the SS Dresden as it sailed from Antwerp to London.