Eugenio Barsanti was born in Pietrasanta, Tuscany back in 1821. He studied at a Catholic scientific-oriented institute near Lucca. He was a member of the Plarist Fathers or Scolopi, where he studied the current scientific issues of the day.
In 1841, he began teaching at the Collegio San Michele in Volterra. It was while giving a lecture on the explosion of mixed hydrogen and air, he realized the potential of the expansion of gases within a motor.
In 1854, he patented his invention in London thus insuring the guarantee to have international protection on the patent.
What you may not know about Eugenio is that together with Felice Matteucci of Florence they invented the first version of the internal combustion engine. In 1856, they developed the first two-cylinder 5 HP motor and two years later they built a counter-working two-piston engine.
If you ever get to Florence visit the Museo Galileo library, there you can find the remaining documents concerning the patents.
Until tomorrow give someone the free gift of a smile
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