Suppressed Engine Technology
Claims that efficient engine technologies — including the water carburetor, 100 MPG carburetor, and hydrogen-on-demand systems — have been suppressed by the oil industry for decades.
OVERVIEW
Throughout automotive history, inventors have claimed to have invented highly efficient fuel systems that dramatically improve mileage or run on water. The most famous is the '100 MPG carburetor' — various inventors including Charles Pogue (1930s), Tom Ogle (1970s), and others claimed to have modified carburetors to achieve dramatically higher fuel economy. The 'water carburetor' claims involve electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen gas (HHO) to supplement gasoline. In every case, the technology could not be successfully brought to market. The explanations split between conspiracy (oil industry suppression) and technical skepticism (the devices simply didn't work as claimed).
KNOWN FACTS
Numerous patents exist for allegedly high-efficiency fuel systems
News reports documented Tom Ogle's 100 MPG system before his sudden death
Stanley Meyer's water fuel cell was featured in media before his controversial 1998 death
Automakers have purchased patents that they did not commercialize
Documented cases of the oil industry obstructing public transit and alternative energy exist
CLAIMS
The 100 MPG carburetor was invented and then suppressed by the oil industry
Water-powered cars (hydrogen on demand) have been demonstrated but suppressed
Inventors have been threatened, bought out, or killed by agents of the oil industry
Automakers have purchased and shelved patents for highly efficient engines
Stanley Meyer's water-powered car was met with suppression that led to his death
EVIDENCE FOR
Numerous patents exist for allegedly high-efficiency fuel systems
News reports documented Tom Ogle's 100 MPG system before his sudden death
Stanley Meyer's water fuel cell was featured in media before his controversial 1998 death
Automakers have purchased patents that they did not commercialize
Documented cases of the oil industry obstructing public transit and alternative energy exist
EVIDENCE AGAINST
No suppressed engine technology has ever been independently verified under controlled conditions
Claims of oil industry agents killing inventors are unsubstantiated for most cases
Patents are public knowledge; the information is available to anyone
Thermodynamics limits engine efficiency; many claimed systems would violate physical laws
Tom Ogle's system was tested by independent labs and found to not deliver claimed results
OPEN QUESTIONS
No open questions recorded.
SOURCES
TIMELINE
Pogue carburetor claimed 200 MPG, never commercialized
Tom Ogle demonstrates 100 MPG system
Stanley Meyer dies suddenly after alleged suppression
Rising gas prices revive interest in suppressed engine claims