Supercharger Development History

The earliest patent application for a turbocharger dates back to 1905, when Dr. Alfred Buchi of Sulzer Brothers Research and Development Company patented the first turbocharger-a power-driven axial supercharger. However, due to the current state of industry, Dr. Buchi was unable to produce the first efficient turbocharger. In 1911, the Winterthur Supercharger Works in Switzerland began production, and by 1915, a prototype aircraft engine supercharger was produced. This supercharger, powered by engine exhaust, was primarily intended to overcome the negative impact of the thin air at high altitudes. During World War II, a supercharger manufactured by General Electric (GE) helped propel aircraft to an altitude of 10,000 meters.