Most of us are familiar with automobiles in some way or another. Much of our lives revolve around the use of automobiles, and it is safe to say that not having automotive transportation would hinder our productivity as a society in major ways. However, growing concerns over the environment, the high price of gas, and the availability of useful fuel has begun to change the way we look at the efficiency of today’s engines. New technology has given rise to the question of whether or not the internal combustion engine has seen its last days. To answer this, we must first explore the history of the engine, its evolution over the years, and some of the alternatives that promise more efficient means to power our automobiles. Thomas Savery was the first person to put a patent on the steam engine in 1698. Though innovative, this crude engine had many problems and was very temperamental. In 1796, James Watts perfected the steam engine and sparked an industrial revolution, the likes of which the world had never seen. Soon, the steam engine was powering everything from boats to factories, and the manufacturing industry took flight. The steam engine powered the revolution and brought forth many new innovations, such as diesel and gasoline powered engines. In 1897, Rudolf Diesel developed the first 2-stroke internal combustion engine. This motor worked on the principle that a fuel and air mixture could be compressed to the point that it would ignite under its own pressure Following Diesel, Nicolaus August Otto was the first successful person to develop and use a gasoline powered engine. His four stroke principle was revolutionary and superseded the steam engine. As the use of diesel and gasoline engines increased, the steam engine became virtually obsolete. Henry Ford, and his use of the internal combustion engine, made the automobile industry what it is today. These same engines have been used to power our cars for over one hundred years. Since Otto’s invention, many improvements have been made based on his four-stroke design. To understand these improvements it is important to understand what the principle is and how it works. In an engine, there is a piston in a cylinder that travels up and down. There are two valves on top of the cylinder that the piston is traveling in. The four stroke cycle begins with the piston at top of the cylinder with the intake valve is open. The piston begins to travel down while air and fuel is drawn in through the open valve. When the piston Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil