Heard about the Volkswagen diesel scandal? If not, here’s the short course: Volkswagen recently got involved in a high-profile scandal when it was discovered that they had modified the software in their diesel-powered cars to meet emission requirements. This was an embarrassing event for Volkswagen, but as it turns out, it’s just the latest in the odd history of the diesel engine. Here’s the story.

Rudolph diesel is badly injured – Rudolph Diesel’s first job out of technical school was working in the R&D department at Linde, a refrigeration company in Berlin. He worked on refrigeration systems at Linde and also some steam engine design. During one of his experiments, he was wounded when a prototype ammonia vapor steam engine exploded. His recovery took a good part of a year, and for some period of time, it was doubtful whether he would return to engineering.

Built by beer – Most new companies are funded by people in the financial services industry. Not Diesel – his company was funded by beer. In 1890, Adolphus Busch worked with Diesel to set up the Diesel Motor Company in New York City to make engines. Later, Busch started the American Diesel Engine Company and a third diesel engine company with Sulzer Brothers, a Swiss company.

Diesel technology ended the steam era – By the early 20th century, the steam locomotive was glorious, fully mature technology used to power trains around the world. By the 1940s, however, diesel-electric locomotives were quickly replacing their steam-powered forbearers. The romance of the Age of Steam gave way to the clinical, efficient era of diesel-powered railroading.

Diesel disappeared – By 1913, WWI was ramping up and the Diesel engine was powering the gears of war. German U-Boats were already using diesel engines when Diesel boarded a ferry in-route to a meeting in England. The meeting was with representatives of the Royal Navy to discuss using diesel power for Royal Navy submarines. He never arrived, and it’s rumored he was murdered on the orders of the German Emperor.

Or committed suicide – Before his departure to England, Diesel gave his wife a package that he told her to open after a week. It was filled with financial statements showing the near-bankrupt state of the family’s finances. Perhaps Diesel was distraught and committed suicide.

Diesel gives GM a black eye – The 1970s were an era of great economic upheaval. The Arab oil embargo in 1973 caused fuel shortages across the country and the public began to demand better fuel economy from their cars. Diesel engines achieved tremendous fuel economy, so they looked like a good solution. It could have gone well, but the diesel engines that GM made had mechanical problems. Head bolts pulled out and dirty diesel fuel killed injection pumps. People nationwide were stuck with lemons and the GM diesel was considered the worst engine they ever made.

Today it’s different – Despite its interesting past, the diesel engine has come into its own as a passenger car engine. Most of the major automobile manufacturers are either offering a diesel option or are considering one, even luxury brand like Lexus. According to Len Stoler Lexus of Ownings Mills, a local Lexus dealer in Ownings Mills, MD, Lexus is considering a diesel in a future model. The reason is that most of the luxury brands offer them today, and they make up a surprising amount of their sales. For instance: 92 percent of BMW X5 models sold this year have been diesels. Mercedes-Benz predicts that about 75 percent of GLE sales will be diesel, and Audi recently launched its Q7 with a diesel engine. Clearly, the marketplace is demanding them.