There’s an undeniable truth we encounter as we journey through life. As youngsters, we’re filled with this incredible desire to make a quantifiable change in the world, only to find that the ensuing generational shift may undo our oh-so-carefully laid plans. It’s a cycle of rebellion/karma and establishment that keeps the world spinning. 

One individual who shook the world was Nikolaus August Otto, an Engineer whose accomplishments are studied thoroughly. His crowning achievement was the development of the four-stroke internal combustion engine. This remarkable invention not only enhanced the “efficiency” of pre-existing engine models but also massively spurred industrialization. The Industrial Revolution, with Otto’s contributions improving the then 40-year-old movement, further led to the decline, even the eradication, of forced labor/slavery. Luckily for him, it took one and a half centuries for Otto to be seen as a villain, well past his death, despite his undeniable status as a hero during his lifetime. 

Our exploration starts in the birthplace of this legend – the quaint region of Rhineland-Palatinate, nestled in the western end of the country. We’ll meander through lush farmlands and put this oft-overlooked region squarely on the traveler’s map.