Felix Wankel

Felix Heinrich Wankel (August 13, 1902 – October 9, 1988) was a German mechanical engineer and the inventor of the Wankel engine.

Wankel was born in Lahr, Germany, in the upper Rhine Valley. Since his mother was widowed in World War I, Wankel received no university education or even an apprenticeship. However, he was able to teach himself technical subjects and conceived the idea of the Wankel engine in 1924.

Career
During World War II, he developed seals and rotary valves for German air force aircraft and navy torpedoes. After the war, he was imprisoned by the Allies for some months, his laboratory was closed, his work confiscated, and he was prohibited from doing more work. In 1951, he began development of the engine at NSU (NSU Motorenwerke AG), leading to the first running prototype on February 1, 1957. His engine design was first licensed by Curtiss-Wright in New Jersey. Mazda in Japan solved the chatter marks problem. The engine has been successfully used by Mazda in several generations of their RX-series of coupés and sedans including the R100 and especially the RX-7.

In later years, Wankel was granted an honorary Doctorate of Engineering. He was known for his championing of animal rights and opposition to the use of animals in testing.

Wankel died in Heidelberg, aged 86.

Honors and awards

 * Honorary doctorate degree from Technische Universität München, December 5, 1969.
 * The Federation of German Engineers (VDI) Gold Medal, 1969.
 * The Grand Federal Service Cross, Germany's highest civilian honor, 1970
 * The Franklin Medal, Philadelphia, 1971.
 * The Bavarian Service Medal, 1973.
 * The "Honour Citizen" of Lahr,1981, and the title of Professor in 1987.
 * The Soichiro Honda Medal, 1987.
 * Honorary citizenship of Lindau (declined)