Kenichi Yamamoto, Father of Mazda’s Rotary Engine, Is Dead at 95
 

I didn't see anyone mention it, but I thought it was proper to pay respects to Kenichi Yamamoto who passed away last month.

It flew under my radar until today:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/o...gine.html?_r=0

RIP Yamamoto-san

Yeah I saw it on Facebook. It's a shame that he has passed but he led a VERY long and amazing life.

We have a lot to thank him for, it's his perseverance and hard work that made the RX-7 possible.

Dale

We need a commiserative T-Shirt.

The man certainly lived a triumphant life. In a way, we get to continue enjoying the results of his perseverance and that's pretty cool. Jalopnik had a nice piece on his passing as well:
https://jalopnik.com/if-you-love-int...oto-1821589729

RX7's have had a huge impact on my life. He's the man!!!

A good man, by all accounts. An ingenious one, and very perseverant. He does indeed leave a legacy.
Mazda didn't invent the rotary engine, but it is a tribute to the man that most people just instantly associate Mazda and a rotary engine...or vice-versa.

If you guys haven't - take a quick read of his Wikipedia article:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenich...moto_(engineer)

* Family home destroyed and sister killed during bombing of Hiroshima
* Started at Toyo Kogyo (later Mazda) as an assembly line worker
* Led the charge and always advocated for the wankle
* Pushed the Miata into existence (and assembly in the US)
* Was eventually chairman at Mazda

What a life!

Attachment 750393


Who's in?

This man and the amazing engine he as able to bring to production is the reason I've been a die hard rotorhead since 1991. Rest in peace!

If anyone wanted one of the shirts, they are available here:
https://www.redbubble.com/people/gar...sel&style=mens

Note: there are other colors / shirts / styles / things available with this design.

-M

Link is no beuno!

Vince