Internal Combustion Engine Long Run Wave Patents: 1900-2019

Internal Combust Engine (ICE) is a hot subject in this geo political moment, with green agenda under fire. Some people believe that electric mobility is the only option, but there is a long tradition and some options in combustion engines. In this paper we analyze ICE long run wave patents using Derwent Innovation database, part of Clarivate Analytics group. From 675 thousand records spread through 120 years we found deep swing positions: i) 1900’s France (73%) and UK (22%) had 95% of ICE patents. In 1910’s USA (20%) joint the club, and mutual with France (33%) and UK (40%) had 93% of total. In 1920’s Germany alone had 77%, in 1930’s and 1940’s only USA had 73% and 70%, respectively. In 1950’s USA (37,3%) and Germany (46,5%) had 84% of the total, and in 1960’s Germany (50%) and UK (23%) had 73%. In 1970’s and 1980’s Japan was in the same position as Germany in 1920’s with 74% and 76% share, respectively. In 1990’s Japan (57%) and Germany (22%) had 79% of total, and in 2000’s and 2010’s China was the leader, but any country had more than 40% share, ii) from 1900’s to 1950’s the main companies were European and American, from 1960’s to 1990’s Japanese joined the club, and in 2000’s and 2010’s had similar mix. There are few papers about this article subject, particularly in a global and 120 years’ perspective.