Car History. 13 A New Fuel: Petroleum 2

 In 1877, Maybach moved to Cologne to take a rest and focused on improving the design of the engine for commercialization. In August 1877, the engine was patented under the name “Otto Engine.” Otto’s engine delivered high efficiency and was less noisy than previous engines. It became extremely popular, selling more than 30,000 units within ten years, and Otto accumulated great wealth.

Otto’s engine was a great improvement over earlier inventions, but it did not satisfy Daimler. Daimler believed the engine needed further improvements—shrinking its size and increasing its power so it could be applied to vehicles, ships, and airships. However, Otto’s engine was too large and heavy, with insufficient output, and it required city gas as fuel, which limited its applications.

Daimler and Maybach had already recognized these shortcomings while working on Otto’s engine, and since 1875, they had been secretly experimenting with petroleum at their workshop in Cannstatt. In fact, the float carburetor that Maybach developed in 1875, later used in the Otto engine, was originally just a byproduct of their attempts to atomize petroleum by mixing it with air. Their research showed petroleum could serve as a fuel, and Daimler went to Otto to discuss it.

Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler

Nikolaus August Otto

When Daimler entered Otto’s office, Otto—coughing heavily—looked up, smiled, stood, and greeted him:

“Oh! Daimler, welcome. Please, sit down. The Otto engine is selling so well these days, I’m in great spirits. I think naming it after myself really helped. But this cold is truly awful.”

At the mention of the “Otto engine,” Daimler’s expression briefly darkened, but he quickly composed himself and congratulated Otto on his success.

“It’s all thanks to your brilliant design, sir. Without it, such an excellent engine could never have existed. Owners who’ve purchased the Otto engine praise it highly. By the way, perhaps you should take some medicine?”

“I’ll be fine. Taking medicine for something like this would only make people laugh. But I’m glad people are satisfied with our engine. With your and Maybach’s shares, you’re already wealthy men, but let’s build even better engines together and earn much more.”

“It’s all thanks to you, sir. The current improvements in design and durability are largely Maybach’s doing. Failures and noise have been greatly reduced.”

“Oh yes, Maybach. In his hands, even ordinary machines become works of art. But tell me, you didn’t come here at this hour just for small talk. What is it?”

After a moment’s thought, Daimler began carefully:

“Mr. Otto, your engine is indeed revolutionary, ahead of its time by half a step. Maybach and I believe future engines will not stray far from its fundamental design. It is the culmination of all current knowledge and technology.”

Otto coughed softly and nodded for Daimler to continue.

“I believe Deutz’s Otto engine could be applied in many fields, including automobiles, ships, and even airships. But in my view, it is too heavy and underpowered for such uses.”

“So, you’ve found a solution to those two problems?”

“Yes, exactly. The greatest issue Maybach and I identified is the reliance on city gas.”

At this, Otto slammed his palm on the table and shouted angrily:

“What? How is that a problem? My design is the best engine ever made!”

“Please, calm yourself, Mr. Otto, and hear me out. The Otto engine relies on city gas for operation. This requires a built-in supply mechanism, which increases the size of the engine. Moreover, city gas does not provide sufficient explosive power, which limits the output.”

Otto regained his composure and, still coughing lightly, asked in a cold tone:

“Very well. Then what solution have you found?”

Daimler swallowed nervously under Otto’s piercing gaze before answering:

“Maybach and I have discovered that petroleum can serve as the solution.”

Otto scoffed dismissively.

“Petroleum? You expect me to believe that? It’s just used as a lubricant in paint factories or for medicines. You want to replace refined city gas with kerosene—something fit only for lamps in remote villages? How absurd!”

“Mr. Otto, petroleum is indeed suitable as a fuel. Its explosive power is stronger, and with even a small amount, an engine can run for a long time. It solves both issues—size and power—at once. Please, grant us approval and financial support for further research.”

Otto dismissed the proposal with indifference, yet he could not ignore the fact that Daimler and Maybach were among the finest engineers alive. Perhaps there was something he didn’t yet know.

“Let’s put the matter on hold. I’ll conduct my own investigation first, and then decide.”

“Understood, sir. I trust you will make a wise decision.”

“Good. That will be all. You may leave.”

As Daimler left, Otto gazed out the window, lost in thought.

“Petroleum? Most likely they are mistaken. Still… I should investigate.”

At the time, petroleum was hardly used as fuel. Heavy oil and paraffin served mainly as lubricants in factories or for lamps in homes without city gas. Before that, it had even been used as medicine. Otto dismissed Daimler’s idea, reasoning that petroleum was unsuitable as a fuel. He also resented Daimler and Maybach, whose growing reputations increasingly made them his rivals.

Later that day, suffering from his cold, Otto visited a nearby pharmacy. Recognized immediately by one of the pharmacists, Otto explained his symptoms, and the pharmacist went inside to prepare medicine. While Otto waited, a middle-aged woman entered carrying a small basket and approached the other pharmacist. Watching her closely, Otto overheard:

“Do you have petroleum?”

“Yes, we do. Would you like a bottle?”

“Yes, please.”

The pharmacist fetched a bottle of petroleum, handed it to the woman, and she placed it in her basket after paying. Curious, Otto addressed her politely:

“Excuse me, madam. My name is Otto. May I ask what you use petroleum for?”

The woman smiled and replied:

“Of course. As you know, petroleum is sometimes used for lamps in areas without gas. But in most households, we use it to remove stains from fabric or clothes. My child dirtied some clothes recently, and ordinary washing couldn’t remove the stains, so I bought this to clean them.”

“I see. Thank you very much for explaining.”

Otto bowed politely, and the woman left. Soon after, the pharmacist returned with Otto’s medicine, and he paid before stepping outside. As he walked away, he repeated the woman’s words in his mind:

“Petroleum is just for lamps and cleaning stains. Hardly suitable as a fuel. Researching it would be a waste of time. And if the company funds Daimler’s research, they might develop something new that undermines me. No—I must distance myself from Daimler and Maybach.”

Meanwhile, Daimler returned to Maybach, who looked at him expectantly. Smiling faintly, Daimler said:

“It seems we’ll have to do it ourselves. From the way the conversation went, Otto won’t support petroleum research. I also didn’t mention just how far we’ve already progressed. It looks like it’s just the two of us now.”

As if expecting this, Maybach nodded.

“So it has come to this. But pursuing petroleum research on our own will be a heavy burden. We still need Otto’s support. Please, Daimler, swallow your pride and keep persuading him.”

“You’re right. What we seek is still in its infancy, with many problems to solve. For now, we’ll continue research in secret at Deutz. I’ll do my best to win Otto over, while you keep working on petroleum.”

And so, Daimler and Maybach renewed their determination. But their resolve only pushed Otto further away, widening the rift between them.