9th August in history

Rudolf Diesel of France was granted a patent for an “internal combustion engine” known as the Diesel engine on this day in 1898.

Did you know that:

• Robert Fulton tested his steam paddle-boat on the River Seine and it sank on this day in 1803
• Libanus McLouth Todd of Rochester, New York, patented his check-writing machine on this day in 1904 – the Protectograph designed to protect against check forgers
• Bill Skarsgård is a Swedish actor born on this day in 1990

// Compiled by Zoya Siddiqui