The diesel engine was created in 1893 by Rudolf Diesel. A diesel engine uses the heat of compression to ignite and burn the fuel. The diesel engine was used early on as a replacement for the steam engine. In 1903 the two first ships powered by diesel were launched. The first diesel powered passenger car in the U.S. was released in 1930. Also in 1930 Caterpillar began building diesels to power the machinery. In the 21st century the Diesel engine was well known. The Diesel engines started breaking and setting records. A Dodge Dakota built at Gale Banks Engineering with 735 horsepower set the land speed record as the world's fastest pickup truck with a speed of 222mph