Inventor Eugene Houdry was born in Domont, France, in April of 1892. The son of a wealthy structural steel manufacturer, Houdry was encouraged to learn about mechanical engineering from his youth. He majored in the subject, at the Ecole des Arts et Metiers in Paris.
Houdry invented a catalytic cracking process that could transform coal into gasoline. He also managed to catalytically crack low-grade crude oil. With this process, oil companies were able to double the yield of usable oil with each barrel of crude oil they processed.
After having been injured in World War I, Houdry managed to offer much more than simple service in World War II, with his invention of a single-step butane dehydrogenation process for producing synthetic rubber. He also assisted the French government by using his catalytic cracking process to produce high-octane aviation fuel.
When World War II ended, Houdry formed a new company he called Oxy-Catalyst which focused on improving the cleanliness of automobile exhaust. This led to the invention of the catalytic converter used in mufflers to reduce auto emissions.
The catalytic muffler he patented in 1962 was his final crowning achievement. His muffler makes a drastic reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and unburned hydrocarbons. Today, this invention comes standard on every vehicle made in the United States.
Related Posts
How Does Wheel Alignment Work? Your car is important to you. You rely on it to take you where you need to go, and when something goes wrong with it, it can be very frustrating. Poor wheel alignment is one of the most common problems people experience with their cars. Misaligned wheels can cause [...]
If you've ever been driving and noticed your ABS light flicker on your dashboard, you might be wondering what’s going on with your car’s braking system. The ABS light is there to alert you to any issues with your Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which plays a vital role in keeping you safe on the [...]
Car batteries are at the heart of every vehicle’s electrical system, providing the power needed to start the engine, illuminate the headlights, and keep the accessories running smoothly. But what exactly is car battery voltage, and how does it affect a car's performance? Whether you’re dealing with a dead battery or simply curious about [...]
