Felix Wankel was a German engineer best known for inventing the Wankel engine, a type of internal combustion engine that uses a rotary design instead of traditional pistons. This innovative engine features a triangular rotor that moves in an epitrochoidal motion, allowing for a compact and lightweight design with fewer moving parts. Wankel was born on August 13, 1902, in Germany and began his work on the rotary engine in the 1950s. His invention gained popularity in the automotive industry, particularly with Mazda, which used the Wankel engine in several of its vehicles. Wankel passed away on October 9, 1988, leaving a lasting impact on engine technology.