Home

Nicolaus August Otto was born on 14 June, 1832 in Holzhausen, Germany. He is credited with the invention of the modern engine. He built the first practical four-stroke internal combustion engine called the 'Otto Cycle Engine'. He built it into a motorcycle when he completed his engine. His first job was a travelling salesman. Soon he developed an interest in the new technologies and began experimenting with building four-stroke engines. After meeting Eugen Langen who was a technician, Otto quit his job. They started the world's first engine manufacturing company N.A. Otto & Cie. In 1876, Nicolaus Otto built the first four-stroke piston cycle internal combustion engine. He continued to build up his four-stroke engine. Only after his invention of the first magneto ignition system for low-voltage ignition in 1884, he considered his work finished. Nicolaus Otto died on 26 January, 1891 in Cologne.