The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel, and How Reading Helps You Think, with Doug Brunt | Ep. 630

Sep 19, 2023

Doug Brunt, best-selling author of "The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel," dives into the fascinating life and mysterious disappearance of the diesel engine inventor. He discusses the various theories around Diesel's fate, from suicide to potential murder. Brunt also contrasts Diesel's inventions with those of other titans like Tesla and Ford while reflecting on the challenges of writing nonfiction. Alongside this, he shares personal anecdotes about parenting, the importance of books, and ethical research practices in writing.

01:35:30

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INSIGHT

Rockefeller's Motive

John D. Rockefeller saw Diesel as a threat because Diesel's engine didn't require petroleum.
Rockefeller's Standard Oil was losing its kerosene market to electricity, making the gasoline-powered engine crucial for his business.

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ANECDOTE

Vegetable Oil vs. Petrodiesel

While Diesel intended his engine to run on vegetable oil, today it primarily uses petrodiesel due to Rockefeller's influence on fuel availability.
Willie Nelson toured with a bus powered by recycled kitchen grease, showing vegetable oil's viability.

insights

INSIGHT

Kaiser Wilhelm and the Naval Arms Race

Kaiser Wilhelm II, of Prussian origin, was Queen Victoria's grandson.
A naval arms race between Germany and Britain fueled diplomatic tensions, with Diesel's engine central to submarine technology.

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The Mysterious Disappearance of Rudolf Diesel

02:10 • 3min

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The Mystery of Rudolf Diesel

05:20 • 18min

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Kaiser Wilhelm and the Diesel Dilemma

23:19 • 4min

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Unraveling the Mysteries of Rudolf Diesel

27:08 • 2min

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Exploring Classic Cocktails and Literary Inspirations

29:24 • 2min

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Controversy in Literary Citations and Acknowledgment

31:17 • 2min

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Researching Rudolf Diesel

33:12 • 5min

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The Mystery of Rudolf Diesel

38:30 • 17min

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Lessons from Parenting to Diesel's Legacy

55:17 • 14min

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Rudolf Diesel: Legacy and Mystique

01:09:40 • 16min

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Community, Education, and the Power of Books

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The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel

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This book delves into the mysterious disappearance of Rudolf Diesel, one of the world’s greatest inventors, on September 29, 1913. Diesel, whose internal combustion engine was about to revolutionize global industry, vanished during a steamship journey between Belgium and England. The narrative explores Diesel's rise from an impoverished European childhood to becoming a multi-millionaire and an international celebrity, as well as his conflicts with powerful figures like Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and John D. Rockefeller. Author Douglas Brunt provides a riveting new conclusion about Diesel’s fate, blending historical insight with detective storytelling.

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The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel

Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I

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Megyn Kelly is joined by Doug Brunt, best-selling author of the new book, "The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel," to discuss the mystery at the center of his book, a brief synopsis of who Rudolf Diesel is and his impact on our world today, whether Diesel committed suicide or was murdered, the suspects for who could have mudered Diesel, how authorities identified his body, the devastating impact of his death, his legacy today the difference between writing and selling a fiction vs. non-fiction book, the support and feedback from peers (and Megyn), Meryl Gordon’s book “Mrs. Astor Regrets” and her disappointment with Anderson Cooper for referencing her work throughout his new book, the ethics of citing sources vs. doing your own book research, Doug's life growing up, the different personalities of their kids, where love of books came, and more.

More from Doug Brunt: https://douglasbrunt.com

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