Patent Pending, Recognition Lacking

          More than thirty years ago, a Filipino engineer named Daniel Dingel (his last name was spelled as either “Dingle” or “Dingel” in my sources) had been working on a vehicle that doesn’t need gasoline, diesel or petroleum to run. He invented a vehicle that requires something cheaper, cleaner and available even at home – water.

          Since 1968, Daniel had been working on this, trying to improve this invention until he gets enough recognition for this work, which can and will help prolong and improve lives of mankind. With the help of a very minimal current (that human skin cannot even feel), just enough to light a little bulb and to cause the atoms of water molecules to split up, fuel can be formed and used to run a car.

          Engr. Daniel’s invention is really fuel-efficient, since it uses only a 12-volt Motolite^TM battery to split the molecules of tap water. One litre of it can make a car run for an hour, since Hydrogen is highly combustible as well. Explosive, it is, even.

            So why use Hydrogen as fuel if it is explosive? Well Daniel already solved that problem. He had this aluminium device that makes the car safe from explosion, and his invention near foolproof.

          Plus, his invention does not make use of carbon-based fuel, which, as we know, will produce Carbon monoxide and Carbon dioxide when mixed with Oxygen atoms. Thus, his invention promotes healthier air.

          It would have been a good invention, helping solve many of today’s problems, both economic and environmental. But why haven’t we seen or heard of water-fuelled cars in our country? If this can prolong life, help save cash, and simply improve our living, why can’t we have access to this kind of technology?

          Engr. Dingle has been offered by different companies from different countries to show them how his invention works and how he did it. But he refused most of them. The only offer he accepted was from Taiwan’s Formosa Plastics Group which had a good start. But the good start led to an estafa or swindling case filed against him which led to his conviction by the Parañaque Regional Trial Court (Lopez).

          Dingle questioned the decision even though he didn’t mind being behind bars at the age of 82 (Lopez). But sad to say, “The court found Dingel guilty of misappropriating the funds he received from Formosa Plastics Group” (Lopez).

          His invention, though, was not only open to large companies from other countries. His priority actually is the Philippines. He wanted his invention to be available to us, Filipinos. However, the Philippine government which was ruled by President Marcos and Pres. Aquino respectively were unable to make his invention accessible to the public. Marcos welcomed Dingle’s invention but his administration underwent a coup de tat. On the other hand, Pres. Cory, who rode with Engr. Dingle in his water-powered car, and was one of those who were very interested, that she even said that “this is the miracle I [Cory] have been waiting for,” (qtd. from Dingle) was sadly not in the position to approve of his invention being accessible to the public and informed Dingle of the sad news after two weeks of having the car tested.

          “It is not only a matter of scientific problem that we are confronted with. In fact it becomes more political than anything else,” said Dr. Ernesto Luis of DOST. Engr. Dingle restated that it is under the agreement between the IMF and the World Bank that this country is obligated to not make a product that will compete with theirs.

          Dingle still insisted that his invention be publicized. He stressed its benefits. But still it was a threat. And all he could do was hope that someday it will be recognized and used by people for their benefit.

          This story is a clear example of progress being blocked by the ones we think are the ones promoting it. And now, all we can do is to think of who else is out there who was not given the recognition he and his work truly deserved and what could have been if they were given due recognition. □

References:

“Daniel Dingle Water Car.” Panacea-BOCAF.org. Panacea BOCAF, 2009. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

Hydrogen, dir. “Daniel Dingle and His Water Powered Car.” YouTube. Youtube, 14 Nov. 2012. Web. 9
          Mar. 2014.

Lopez, Allison. “Inventor, 82, Gets 20 Years for ‘Estafa’.” Inquirer.net. Inquirer, 20 Dec 2008. Web. 9
          Mar. 2014.
 

Sandru, Ovidiu. “Daniel Dingel’s working Water Powered Car Video.” The Green Optimistic. The Green
          Optimistic, 10 Feb. 2008. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.