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

Douglas Brunt attended Duke University, graduating with a degree in English literature. Before pursuing a career in writing, Brunt was the CEO of Authentium, Inc., an internet security firm. In 2008, he married former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly and is the father of their three children. Brunt has written three novels; The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel is his first piece of nonfiction. In addition to writing, Brunt hosts a popular Sirius XM podcast, Dedicated with Doug Brunt.

In 2015, Brunt bought an old boat, whose seller suggested he update it with the newest diesel engine, recommending them for the fuel efficiency and range. Brunt then researched the history of diesel engines and came across an article about Rudolf Diesel’s life and mysterious disappearance, sparking his foray into historical research.

Rudolf Diesel (1850-1913) was a German engineer and the inventor of the diesel internal combustion engine. Diesel grew up in a family of Bavarian immigrants to France; a sensitive and quiet child, he was deeply affected by the family’s forced flight to London during the Franco-Prussian War. As a young man, Diesel decided to use his aptitude for math and science to better the lives of the working-class people suffering during the Industrial Revolution.