Death of Diesel

Source: Internet

It was dead of night of 29 September 1913. A steamship named SS Dresden was on her voyage from Antwerp, Belgium to Harwich, England. The ship sailed through the water of English Channel; little murmur of the engine was breaking the eerie silence of the surroundings. 

At around 10 pm, one of the passengers of the vessel, who had boarded the vessel in the evening, after his dinner, went to his cabin to sleep. While leaving the dining hall, he told the porter to wake him up at 6:15 am next day morning. That was the last time, he was seen by the fellow passengers and the crew of the ship. Subsequent morning when the porter went to wake him up, he found the door of the room was kept ajar. His bed was still neatly laid up which meant that he had not slept on the bed on the previous night. His night-suit was intact and unused. A search was undertaken at all possible corners of the ship. But no trace of the person was found. He had vanished in the thin air of the channel. He was declared missing from the board. 

A diary was found on the side table of his bed. The particular page of that date in the diary was found marked cross (X). His disappearance might be connected to a few possibilities:

Firstly, he might have slipped from the deck of the ship.

Second possibility was that he might have jumped into water, and committed suicide, and 

third possibility, more intriguing, he might have been murdered and thrown overboard. 

To find the answer of the mysterious vanishing of the person, whether it was a suicide or a murder, we shall explore a bit, little later.

On 10 October 1913, the crew of a Dutch North Sea steamer noticed a floating bloated human corpse on the water, in the vicinity of the route of SS Dresden. It was so badly decomposed that it could not be retrieved from water. So, they decided that it should have a watery grave. But wisely they recovered a few belongings from the highly decomposed body - a wallet, one paper knife and a few small items. Later, the son of the person confirmed that those items belonged to his missing father.

(Source: Internet)

The name of the missing person was Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel, the famous German mechanical engineer and inventor. He was the man behind the invention of the Diesel engine, that runs on Diesel oil and has subsequently revolutionised the world. Both the engine and fuel carry his name, even today.

The diesel engine, created by Diesel at that time, was very bulky in size and was fit for static industry or large ships. Application of diesel engine in automobile sector dawned a little later, by mid-1920s, when a comparatively compact diesel engine for road transport sector was developed by Clessie Cummins. Mercedes-Benz introduced diesel driven automobile in 1936.

(Source: Internet)

He was born on 18 March 1858. 

(Source: Internet)

On 18 March 1958, on his 100th birthday, the German Post issued a blue-green commemorate postage stamp on the personality. 

(Source: Internet)

It was designed by Prof. Hermann Schardt who had included an image of Diesel and a sketch of his diesel engine. 

(Source: Internet)

Germany issued another commemorative stamp on 28 August 1977, featuring him while commemorating the centenary of invention of diesel engine. Besides Germany, several countries have honored the inventor by issuing postage stamps on him. Some of them are:

Central African Republic - 21 December 1986

Maldives - 26 December 1989 and 04 October 2018

Cuba - 20 January 1993

Gibraltar - 01 March 1994

Uruguay - 08 December 1997

North Macedonia - 18 June 2008

Guinea - 20 October 2008

Vietnam - 29 September 2013

Sierra Leone - 30 August 2018

(Source: Internet)

There was an interesting twist for stamps issued on 01 February 1993 by Western Sahara on Diesel and his diesel engine. Morocco Postal Services vide their circular number 414 of 2002, number 69 of 2004, and number 71 of 2008, has declared those stamps of Rudolf Diesel were illegal issues. 

(Source: Internet)

They have clarified that there was no operational post office under the control of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic when those stamps were released.

(Vietnam Post, Source: Internet)

Let us examine the possibilities of mysterious disappearance of Rudolf Diesel. 

He was insomniac so it may fit well that after dinner he might be taking a stroll on the deck. But the idea of his accidental slippage from the deck into water does not hold water because on that night there was no rough or stormy weather. 

(Source: Internet)

The suicide theory was propagated based on his financial status. It was said that he was getting nearly broke. To examine the suicide angle, his possible financial stress was analyzed. It was found that before boarding the ship, he had left a bag with his wife, with a strict instruction that it was to be opened after one week of his departure. Later, on opening the bag, a reasonable amount of cash and financial statements indicating debts were found. The criticality of financial conditions was debated as previously he had generated great wealth through his new innovations.

(Source: Internet)

The cross-mark (X) on the page of diary remained shrouded with mystery. Several possibilities are there. Whether he was contemplating to commit suicide or had a hunch that he would be attacked by someone during the voyage remained unanswered. Another unanswered question is that was it marked by himself or someone else put the mark, in order to divert the attention towards suicide theory.

Now the third angle of possibility of his murder. Who would be interested to kill an inventor like him? For the analysis purposes, there are two different approaches. Firstly, the time of his disappearance was a period of tension between Germany and UK which ultimately followed by full-scale World War I (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918). Was he travelling from Germany to London to sign a secret deal for technology transfer of his diesel engine to British Navy? 

Alternatively, whether his continuous research to use vegetable oil (like peanut oil) as fuel had raised red flag among the petroleum oil magnets of that era?

There are only endless questions but no answer.

Today, the well-oiled wheels of twenty first century are driven by diesel oil. Concerned with global warming caused by diesel engines, countries are progressively working on bio-diesel. The oils extracted from various plant seeds are being tried in lieu of diesel in vehicle engines to reduce emission of green house gases (GHGs). Is the civilisation completing a full circle, in fuel front, as Diesel had progressed considerably in his research work to use peanut oil and other seed oils as fuel? 

If bio-diesel become reality on a large scale across the world, then it will put a break on the reckless process of dieselisation of industry and that may be a fitting tribute to the researches of Diesel which he could not complete due to unfortunate untimely demise. 

Bibliography:

1. https://colnect.com/en/search/list/collectibles/stamps/q/Rudolf+Diesel
2. https://the-line-up.com/rudolf-diesel
3. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-38302874
4. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/inventor-rudolf-diesel-vanishes
5. https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/international-rudolph-diesel-inventor-55-ss-dresden-english-channel-29-sep-1913.692462/
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLzMvbqMVQE

Disclaimer:

The noble objective of this blog, is to promote the hobby of philately through images of stamps, a few pictures and related narration. The scans of a few stamps, featured in this blogpost are mine while others (sourced from internet) are properties of their respective owners. No intention to infringe any type of copyright. 

The information provided in the article is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith. This is only for sharing of knowledge of philately with philatelist fraternity of the world. No commercial or political angle, whatsoever, is involved. This is not a historical document. Under no circumstances, I shall have any liability for reliance on any information provided in the story.

*************

The story was published in the February 2024 issue of the popular philatelic digital magazine, Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin.

The cover page

The index page

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

The CIA Invert

Source: Internet

- 'Give me back that postage stamp or accept this termination letter for your job!'

Something like this might have happened related to a particular postage stamp. The order was given by none other than C.I.A. (Central Intelligence Agency) of USA, the civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States, to a few of its own employees. Subsequently, the stamp became famous as 'CIA invert'. Otherwise, it had nothing to do with the activities of C.I.A. to commemorate. It was a definitive stamp and was purely related to philately.

Normal rush lamp stamp (Source: Internet)

On 02 July, 1979, the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a postage stamp (Scott 1610) of face value $1, depicting a candle holder with burning candle (rush lamp), under Americana series. “America’s Light Fueled By Truth and Reason” was written on the stamp. The issue of definitive postage stamps of USPS, under Americana series, was in place from 1975 to 1981. The Americana Series superseded the Prominent Americans series, and was in turn superseded by the Great Americans series and the Transportation coils. 

First Day Cover with normal stamp (Source: Internet)

One day, C.I.A. sent one Steve Lambert, its employee to the post office in McLean, Virginia to buy a few postage stamps for official purposes. He went to the post office and purchased a partial sheet having 95 number of $1 stamp and returned to the office. A few days later, another employee of C.I.A. found that there were a few errors in those stamps. There was a mis-match in the direction between the flame of the burning candle and the candle holder or rather they are opposite to each other. Similarly, with respect to the flame, the writings were too inverted. He made a brilliant discovery (in the year 1985).

CIA Invert (Source: Internet)

Subsequently, Steve shared this information confidentially with a close group of his colleague, comprising seven male and two female C.I.A employees (total nine). 

CIA Invert (Source: Internet)

It was a single pane of $1 candle-stand stamps. But out of one hundred stamps of the pane, five were already sold off before by the post office person to some other unknown customers. So, the pane or the sheet was having ninety-five stamps in it - all with identical error. The selvedge part of the pane which carried the plate number was missing. They smelt the financial potential of this finding. 

Both versions together (Source: Internet)

The group of nine C.I.A. employees began making strategy to capitalise the new found treasure. They discussed among themselves and finally came out with the idea that at first they would replace the error pane with normal stamps by purchasing from the post office. Once they replace the errors with valid ones, they would divide the booty among themselves. According to the plan, under the secret operation within C.I.A. office, they pooled the total amount, purchased ninety-five number of normal stamps and substituted them in the office for error stamps. By giving normal candle-stamps to the office, those error stamps came under their possession, which later became famous as ‘CIA Invert’ (Scott 1610c). Each one of them kept one stamp and decided to dispose of the balance (95-9 = 86 stamps) for profit to an auctioneer. They contacted Ike Snyder, the stamp dealer from Annandale, Virginia. Snyder, in turn, suggested them to contact Jacques C. Schiff, Jr., the error stamp dealer of New Jersey. When contacted, Schiff asked them to meet him as quickly as possible. Even he was ready to reimburse the airfare for travel. 

An advertisement (Source: Internet)

On 02 April, 1986, one person on behalf of the group, visited the office of Schiff at Ridgefield, New Jersey. The C.I.A. person wanted $100,000 for the part pane with 85 intact and one damaged stamps. Schiff, being a cunning businessman gave a counter offer of meagre $25,000. A tough bargain followed between two sides. In spite of the best effort by the group side, the dealer didn’t budge from his initial offer of $25,000. Reluctantly, the representative of the group agreed for the offered amount, conditionally. Schiff agreed to the condition that come what may, the identity of the sellers would not be disclosed to anyone. He issued nine  cheques, each for an amount of $2,777.78 for the purchase of the partial pane of 85 intact mint stamps ($2,777.78 X 9 = $25,000). One damaged stamp (86th one) was given to him as complimentary. 

De-classified C.I.A. document (Source: Internet)

Such news could not be kept secret for longer time and somehow it reached the media houses. What subsequently followed was media blitzkrieg through print and audio-visual network (newspapers - The New York Times and CBS news, tv channels etc.). 

The first pane (Courtesy: Linns.com)

Fred Boughner first brought the CIA Invert story to general public through Linn’s Stamp News (issue 11 August, 1986). In the story, it was reported that those stamps were bought by a small business in Fairfax, Virginia. Subsequently, Don Sundman, president of Mystic Stamp Co., filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The printing agency revealed the involvement of C.I.A. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing had launched an investigation. It had concluded that this was a genuine error which had slipped all checkpoints prevailing at that point of time.

The office of C.I.A. was alerted about CIA Invert which was a big sensation by that time. The agency started their own internal ethics investigation and all nine employees involved in the matter were identified. The office contented that those stamps were purchased with government fund and hence they are properties of the state. They are liable for punishment for using government’s property for personal gain – a gross misconduct. Those employees were ordered to return those stamps from their possession or face imprisonment of ten years and a fine of $ 10,000. 

Four employees (including two ladies) returned their CIA Invert to the office and retained their jobs and the one who claimed that his precious stamp has been lost, continued in the service. On 01 November 1990, C.I.A. donated the recovered CIA Inverts (four in number) to Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Balance four employees (including Lambert), who refused to return their ‘jewels’ were terminated from the job by C.I.A. Nearly twenty years later, the former C.I.A. person who had claimed that his stamp was lost, approached Mystic Stamp Company to sell the ‘lost’ stamp. 

At Smithsonian National Postal Museum, one CIA Invert was placed for display which was donated by Don Sundman, the President of Mystic Stamp Company. These $1 stamps of Americana Series were printed in sheets of 400. Therefore, beside this discovered partial pane of 86 stamps, three more panes each of 100 stamps must have been printed. 

A block of four (Source: Internet)

As per the latest information available, in year 2004, one block of four CIA Invert was sold for $60,000 and another block was sold for $71,875 in 2015. It is said that only three such block exists with the collectors.

With plate ID (Source: Internet)

A new block of four CIA Invert, with intaglio plate number 40971 have appeared on the internet. In all probabilities, it was from the second pane. According to plate number, it was printed between 04 November - 05 December 1985.

However, pane number three and four have vanished in thin air without leaving any clue about their whereabouts. Their existence or destruction has been left to the imagination of the philatelists. May be someday in future, some of them may surface from the closet of some unknown collector.

Webliography:

https://www.stampcommunity.org/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=84105

https://www.linns.com/news/us-stamps-postal-history/cia-invert-revisited-how-did-it-occur

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0001057538.pdf

https://info.mysticstamp.com/learn/cia-inverts/

https://www.linns.com/news/us-stamps-postal-history/stamps-from-second-cia-invert-pane-found

Disclaimer:

The noble objective of this blog, is to promote the hobby of philately through images of stamps, a few pictures and related narration. The scans of a few stamps, featured in this blogpost are mine while others (sourced from internet) are properties of their respective owners. No intention to infringe any type of copyright. 

The information provided in the article is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith. This is only for sharing of knowledge of philately with philatelist fraternity of the world. No commercial or political angle, whatsoever, is involved. This is not a historical document. Apologies in advance, should there be any inadvertent error. Under no circumstances, I shall have any liability for reliance on any information provided in the story.

*************

This story was published in Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin (January'2024 issue), the popular philatelic e-magazine.

The cover page

The index

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

A feedback from one of the readers of Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin.

Petroleum Philately of India: SERVO, The Lubricant

 

Servo - My Stamp

On 28 January 2023, a My Stamp and Special Cover on 50 years of Servo brand of lubricants of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. was issued by India Post. The lubricant brand called Servo was introduced to Indian  market in the year of 1972 by the Fortune 500 company. The formulation of the product and its variety is credited to the Research and Development (R&D) division of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. The R&D Centre of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., is located in Faridabad, near New Delhi. It is a great domestic achievement of R&D effort wherein nearly 5300 formulations and 1600 grades of lubricants are made available in the product mix. In collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), it is continuously developing new lubricants for different market segments.

Golden Jubilee of Servo

As fuel oils are required to run an engine or machine, lubricant and greases are integral part for keeping the moving parts in a machine well oiled. When two moving parts of a machine, come in contact with each other, friction happens, generating heat and causing erosion of the parts in contact. Lubricants play a critical role by reducing friction and thereby minimising the wear and tear of machines and equipment. Besides reduction in friction, other utilities of lubricants are reduction of oxidation, prevention of corrosion, transmission of power, controlling the generation of heat, seal against dust particles etc. The ability of a lubricant to reduce the friction is called 'Lubricity'. The lubricity of a lubricant enhances the efficiency of the mechanism. 

Servo - My Stamp

History dates back 1400 BC regarding application of lubricants in the wheels of horse driven chariots. However, those lubes were mostly vegetable oil based or sourced from animal fats. Some of such vegetation lubricants were from olive oil, castor oil, peanut oil etc. After 16th century, whale oil and porpoise (aquatic mammals) oil found wide application. Whale fat was one of the most popular lubricant used over a long period of time, across the globe. Vegetable oil based lubricants have limitations of oxidation stability, high pour point etc. As human civilisation moved from manual output to mechanised industrial revolution, the need for lubricants was felt at the factories of mass production. Industrial growth prompted mankind to look for lubricating oils which were much more efficient. Lubricants of petroleum oil origin found their application in the early 1900s. In today’s world, majority of lubricants are based on petroleum oil. 

Servo - My Stamp and Selvedge

As the application of machinery increased by leaps and bounds, it was experienced that petroleum oil based products were not effective enough for the desired task of lubrication. Researchers burnt midnight candles and additives entered in the field of lubricants. Thus, today's lubricants are brilliant and judicious combination of one or more base oils and selective additives to have particular characteristics and performances. In other words, additives are compounds which are blended in a particular ratio with base oils to enhance the performances of the lubricants.

Servo - Full Sheet of My Stamp

Lubricants or 'lubes' are generic terms describing engine oils, gear oils, greases, hydraulic fluids, transmission oils etc. While motor oil enhances fuel efficiency of automotives, gear oil lubricates parts of gear components. Lubricants have application in all types of industry viz. automobile, cement, textile, steel, petrochemical, mining, marine, etc. Based on its utilities, it is broadly classified as automotive and industrial grade lubricants. Automotive lubricants improve vehicular performance and enhances engine longevity. Industrial lubricants are used in heavy duty application of various industries.

Source: Internet

Major players in international lubricant market are Sinopec Corporation of China, Royal Dutch Shell plc of The Netherland, ExxonMobil Corporation and Chevron Corporation of US, BP Plc of U.K., Total S.A. of France, Petronas of Malaysia etc.

The history of petroleum based lubricant production in India dates back 1960s. 

In the year 1962, an agreement was signed between newly formed (1960) Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., and Mobil Petroleum Co. Ltd., New York for setting up two lubricant blending plants, one each at Kolkata (then Calcutta) and Mumbai (then Bombay). On 25 March 1963, a new joint venture company with 50:50 share between Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., and Mobil Petroleum Co. Ltd., was formed and it was named as Indian Oil Blending Ltd., which set up lube plants.

Source: Internet

Lubricants of the joint venture was initially marketed through Mobil network. On 19 July 1974, the said agreement was terminated. The 4000 equity shares of Indian Oil Blending Ltd., that was held by Mobil, was transferred to Indian Oil. Thus, Indian Oil Blending Ltd., became a fully owned subsidiary of Indian Oil. After the expiry of the agreement, effective July'1974, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., started directly marketing Servo brand lubricants.  

Source: Internet

In the year 1966, another lubricant company named Lubrizol India Limited was formed with 60% of the subscribed equity held by Government of India and balance 40% shareholding by Lubrizol Corporation U.S.A. It was based on continuous Technology Transfer Agreement for transfer of R&D knowledge, manufacturing and formulation technologies etc. The company was involved in development, manufacture and supply of chemical additives and speciality chemicals, chiefly for petroleum sector. The plant was established in 1969 in Mumbai (then Bombay). In March 2000, it was restructured as joint venture with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (50:50). Today it is known as Lubrizol India Private Ltd.

Servo - The Super Brand

Servo had made humble entry in Indian market and it has moved from a 'World-Class Engine Oils' to today’s 'World-Class Lubricants'.  The tagline 'Add Servo Add Life' is self-explanatory. 

SERVO ADDS LIFE

In the year 2016, Servo was awarded 'Superbrand' by Superbrands India Pvt. Ltd., the Indian subsidiary of Superbrands, the world’s largest independent arbiter of branding. Presently, the brand is available in 37 global markets, ranging from neighbouring countries e.g. Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka to Mauritius, Middle East, Thailand, Vietnam, and various African countries etc. Servo has partnered with the Mohammed Yousuf Naghi group of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the renowned business conglomerates of the country.

Source: Internet

In the domestic lubricant segment, major competitors of Servo of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., are lubricants from the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (MAK, Glide), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (Turbo), Gulf Oil International Ltd. (Gulf), and BP p.l.c (Castrol). 

Lubricant from Bharat Petroleum

These five majors occupy about 67% of Indian lubricant market. Besides, there are strong presence of Valvoline, Elf, Total, etc., in the marketplace.

Source: Internet

In 2022, the global lubricant market was worth USD 117.31 billion. During 2022-2029, it is expected to grow at a CAGR 2.3%. The lubricant market of India is the world’s third largest (behind of US and China). While the lubricant market of US is stagnant, the growth noticed in China market is slow.  On the contrary, Indian lubricant market is the fastest growing one. In 2020, the Indian lubricant market was valued at USD 1.4 billion. From 2021 to 2027, it is expected to grow at a CAGR 3.8%. The demand of automotive lubricant is directly related to the sales of automobiles, expansion of road infrastructure, and vehicular movement on road (commercial, passenger and two-wheelers). Under present conditions, all these weathervanes are favourable for Indian lubricant market.

In the quest of sustainability, global automobile industry is firing all cylinders to move from traditional vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). A demand of new kind of lubricants are expected to emerge in this domain. Side by side, the need of the hour is the collection, disposal and/or re-refining of used lubricants. The used lubricant market in India is a fragmented and in unorganised domain. In order to protect the environment and leaving a better and healthy earth for future generations, all lubricant manufacturers and marketers should create a robust system of collection and proper disposal/processing of used lubricants. The circular economy will benefit all the stakeholders of today and tomorrow. 

Bibliography:

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/india-industrial-lubricants-market

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1557/S0883769400055895.pdf

https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRZ006093.pdf

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/lubricants-market-101771

https://www.moneycontrol.com/company-facts/indianoilcorporation/history/IOC

Disclaimer:

The noble objective of this blog, is to promote the hobby of philately through images of stamps, a few pictures and related narration. The scans of My Stamp, featured in this blogpost are mine while others (sourced from internet) are properties of their respective owners. No intention to infringe any type of copyright. 

The information provided in the article is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith. This is only for sharing of knowledge of philately with philatelist fraternity of the world. No commercial or political angle, whatsoever, is involved. This is not a historical document. Apologies in advance, should there be any inadvertent mistake or error. Under no circumstances, I shall have any liability for reliance on any information provided in the story.

*************

This story was published in Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin (December'2023 issue), the popular philatelic e-magazine.

Cover page

Index

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3