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

An arms race is, essentially, a competition between nations for superior development and accumulation of military power. The early 20th-century arms race between Britain and Germany serves as the backdrop for the book. Brunt chronicles rising tensions between the two global powers, which end up co-opting technological innovations for their militaries. Both sides relied on Diesel’s engines for sea and land vehicle superiority, and for the development of new fleets such as submarines. As the British navy perfected the dreadnought class of warships, Germany worked to build their own version, the Nassau class, quickly catching up by using diesel engines.

Imperialism is the policy and practice of one nation extending its power and influence in the world by dominating another nation. Empire is built through direct territorial acquisition (colonization), political influence, or economic control; vassal states typically supply imperial powers with natural resources, strategic access to geopolitically important locations, or regional influence. Germany’s interest in empire was connected to its jockeying for European status with Britain—then the world’s superpower because of the enormous size and wealth of its empire. Germany, France, and Russia were also driven by imperial ambitions. Kaiser Wilhelm II longed for Britain’s level of world influence and believed empire was key; the Kaiser’s military ramp-up towards this goal set off the tensions that led to World War I. In the book, the complications of imperialism contextualize the events and choices Diesel navigated as his work dragged him center stage.

Industrialization is the process of a nation or region transitioning its economy from agriculture to manufacturing, usually through mechanization. Industrialization was happening on a global scale during Rudolf Diesel’s life: It had a major influence on his goals as an engineer and was a strong motivation for his developing the diesel engine.