Part 3/10:
As steam technology advanced, the steam engine was nearly perfected. However, the visionary work of Rudolf Diesel introduced a new paradigm for marine propulsion. Diesel sought to improve fuel efficiency and power generation, leading to the creation of a combustion engine that didn't require spark plugs. Instead, it relied on the compression of air and fuel to ignite the mixture, yielding a more efficient power output than traditional steam engines.
By 1897, Diesel had successfully built a reliable internal combustion engine. Soon after, shipbuilding firms recognized the advantages of diesel technology for maritime applications. Companies like William Doxford and Sons began incorporating these engines into ships, effectively birthing a new class of vessels known as "motorships."