Bosch Automotive A product history

32 | Supplement 2 | Journal of Bosch History
ising engine concept. Bosch had to be sure
that the company was ready for this technological
change and could benefit from the
growth of the diesel market.
who subsequently continued work on the
new product on the company’s behalf.
However, disagreements led to his departure
in 1926.
Green light for development
The official go-ahead for the development
of diesel injection equipment was given in
1922. Bosch was able to benefit from its
previous experience in the development
of lubricating pumps. These pumps, also
known as Bosch oilers, were capable of
delivering precise quantities of fluid under
high pressure to specific points in the
engine – which is virtually what a fuel-injection
pump does. Furthermore, the company
pooled its own know-how with that of other
diesel pioneers. Bosch acquired patents
from Franz Lang, a development engineer
As early as 1924, initial trials with Bosch
injection pumps took place in the first
series-produced diesel trucks in Germany,
and in 1926 Bosch delivered the first prototypes
to interested customers in the automotive
industry. The pump was ready for
series production at the end of 1927. The
production release for the first 1,000 units
was issued on November 30, 1927, with
the units being delivered to MAN, the first
customer, early the following year. Other
customers were quick to follow. In the
1930s, numerous European manufacturers
equipped their trucks and agricultural
Right:
Sheet-metal advertising
sign for diesel injection
pumps for commercial
vehicles, in a style
common to the 1930s.
Far right:
Poster advertising diesel
injection pumps, using
the traditional advertising
style for Bosch spark
plugs (1949).