The Ben Shapiro Show – Doug Brunt: The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel

Intro

In this episode of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” Ben discusses the mysterious case of Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine. He explores the theories surrounding Diesel’s disappearance in 1913 and the potential motives behind it.

Main Takeaways

The Disappearance of Rudolf Diesel

• Rudolph Diesel invented the diesel engine in 1897.
• Diesel’s disappearance in 1913 was a front-page news story and was thought to be suicide, but there were also two murder suspects: Kaiser Wilhelm and John Rockefeller.
• The disappearance of Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the diesel engine, was a highly publicized event with conflicting testimonies from those involved in his transportation across the North Sea.
• Author Doug DeMuro spent five years delving into archives in Europe and America to research the disappearance and came up with a theory that made sense.
• DeMuro initially considered writing historical fiction due to the lack of information available in English about Diesel’s life and disappearance.
• DeMuro uncovered numerous treasures in his research, including scraps of paper that gave important context to the story.
• Former British Secret Service and CIA agents reviewed DeMuro’s investigation and confirmed that his theory about Diesel’s disappearance was accurate.

Rockefeller and the Petroleum Industry

• Rockefeller had a vested interest in the fuel of the 20th century and saw the electric car as a threat to his business.
• Diesel’s advocacy for using vegetable oil as fuel was a threat to the petroleum industry.
• Willie Nelson ran his tour bus on recycled kitchen grease, demonstrating the viability of Diesel’s idea.
• Diesel’s technology posed an existential threat to Rockefeller’s fuel monopolies.

Diesel’s Expertise and Germany’s Naval Arms Race

• Diesel’s expertise in diesel engines made him a valuable asset in the Anglo-German naval arms race.
• Germany’s desire for colonies and a powerful navy led them to seek diesel expertise for their U-boats.
• Diesel’s trip to Great Britain in 1913 to build diesel engines for the Royal Navy submarine program upset Kaiser Wilhelm.

Summary

The Mysterious Disappearance of Rudolf Diesel

Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, vanished in 1913 under mysterious circumstances. While suicide was initially suspected, there were also two murder suspects: Kaiser Wilhelm and John Rockefeller. Doug DeMuro, an author, conducted extensive research into Diesel’s disappearance, unearthing valuable information that shed light on the case. His theory about the events leading to Diesel’s disappearance was confirmed by former British Secret Service and CIA agents.

Rockefeller and the Threat to his Business

John Rockefeller, a prominent figure in the petroleum industry, perceived Diesel’s advocacy for using vegetable oil as fuel as a threat to his business. Diesel’s ideas posed a challenge to Rockefeller’s fuel monopolies, especially as Willie Nelson successfully ran his tour bus on recycled kitchen grease, demonstrating the viability of Diesel’s concept.

Diesel’s Expertise and Germany’s Naval Ambitions

Diesel’s expertise in diesel engines made him a sought-after asset in the Anglo-German naval arms race. Germany, driven by its desire for colonies and a powerful navy, sought Diesel’s knowledge for their U-boats. However, Diesel’s trip to Great Britain in 1913 to build diesel engines for the Royal Navy submarine program upset Kaiser Wilhelm, potentially adding another layer of complexity to the disappearance.

Conclusion

The disappearance of Rudolf Diesel remains a captivating mystery, with theories pointing to various motives and suspects. The potential threats posed by Diesel’s ideas to the petroleum industry and the geopolitical tensions of the time make for a compelling narrative. Doug DeMuro’s extensive research sheds light on this enigmatic case and provides a plausible explanation for Diesel’s vanishing act.