Inventor of the Diesel engine. Diesel developed a theory that revolutionized the engines of his day. He envisioned an engine in which air is compressed to such a degree that there is an extreme rise in temperature. When fuel is injected into the piston chamber with this air, the fuel is ignited by the high temperature of the air, exploding it, forcing the piston down. TLS in German, signed “Diesel,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 10, personal letterhead, December 9, 1903. Diesel sends his paper to a gentleman for his opinion. In part, “I am taking the liberty of forwarding herewith a copy of my paper entitled ‘Solidarity, Natural Economical Redemption for Humanity’…I am of the opinion the time has come to establish a sociological theory maintaining that the mutual interdependence of members of society could form a basis for social organization based upon solidarity of interests…Subject paper outlines an attempt in which the focus is on human solidarity as basis for all social work: the resulting organization is characterized by merging into a cooperative system or plan whereby the members of an organization in an organized form share the profits. I have coined the term ‘Solidarism’, short for organized solidarity. The source of my proposals is solely practical experience, a thorough knowledge of the circumstances the working classes are confronted with on the one hand and the many faceted experience collected during my entrepreneurial activities on the other hand.” In fine condition, with a couple small pencil notations to top of first page, a light shade of overall toning and a horizontal fold. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
