When Christmas carols begin to play in December, people rarely think about diesel engines. Yet the season often brings to mind the name “Rudolph” — not only Santa’s reindeer but also Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine. Among those who share the name, Diesel remains the most recognized, reports The Dong-A Ilbo.
In the late 1800s, soon after gasoline engines were introduced, Rudolf Diesel set out to build an engine that could run on more than just gasoline, which was scarce at the time. He designed an engine that could use many kinds of oils, including sesame and perilla. As a result, diesel engines today can run on several types of fuel, from light oil to heavy oil, and can even use ordinary cooking oil with the right adjustments.
A major modern development that builds on this idea is biodiesel. Biodiesel is made by processing vegetable oil so it can be used in a regular diesel engine. Canola oil is the most common source, and used cooking oil can also be collected and turned into fuel. Since biodiesel comes from crops and not from underground fossil resources, it can be produced continuously without running out. It also reduces carbon emissions because the crops used to make it absorb carbon dioxide as they grow. This is why biodiesel is considered an environmentally friendly alternative.
Germany and other European nations, known for their leadership in environmental technology, strongly promote biodiesel. When governments expand the use of biodiesel to protect the environment, they also help local companies involved in producing it. South Korea, on the other hand, has no crude oil reserves but has developed a strong refining industry that exports petroleum products worldwide. As Europe increases support for biodiesel, consumers there are choosing locally made biodiesel instead of petroleum fuels imported from South Korea.
In many developed countries, environmental agencies and domestic industries often work together, using environmental goals to drive industrial development. The belief that protecting the environment always requires restricting industry is still common, but the reality is more complex. China, for example, has tried to use its large agricultural sector and chemical industry to increase biodiesel exports to Europe. Europe now appears ready to revise its rules again to limit the growing inflow of Chinese biodiesel. The situation, experts argue, shows that South Korea should also work with its industries to find ways to achieve environmental protection and economic growth at the same time.
The book “Rudolf Diesel: The Mystery” examines the life of Rudolf Diesel and the unanswered questions surrounding his final days, using detailed records and careful research. It also looks at the wider social and political changes of the period — including industrial expansion, economic struggles and rising global tensions — to explain how the diesel engine spread across the world. It is a fitting read for winter evenings, combining engaging stories with insight into how one invention can reshape society, much like today’s discussions about biodiesel.
