Rudolf Diesel was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame. This posthumous recognition acknowledged his significant contributions to the automotive industry through the invention of the diesel engine.

Rudolf Diesel’s wife, Martha, went missing in Germany.

Items recovered from a body found in the Eastern Scheldt were identified by Rudolf Diesel's son, Eugen Diesel, as belonging to his father. While the body itself was unidentifiable due to decomposition, this identification is often taken as the date that Diesel's death was confirmed.

Rudolf Diesel disappeared while traveling on the SS Dresden from Antwerp to London. This event remains shrouded in mystery and is the subject of much speculation, with theories ranging from suicide to murder to faked death.

The first successful diesel engine Motor 250/400 was officially tested. This marked a pivotal moment in the history of the diesel engine, demonstrating its viability and potential for revolutionizing the engine manufacturing industry.

Rudolf Diesel published a treatise entitled Theory and Construction of a Rational Heat-engine to Replace the Steam Engine and The Combustion Engines Known Today, that he had been working on since early 1892. This treatise formed the basis for his work on and development of the diesel engine.

Rudolf Diesel married Martha Flasche. This marked a significant personal milestone in his life.

Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel was born in Paris, France. He was the son of Bavarian immigrants, Elise (née Strobel) and Theodor Diesel. His father was a leather goods manufacturer.