Every year 10th day of August is celebrated as International Biodiesel day. During the 1850s two scientists named as E. Duffy and J. Patrick had designed the first diesel engine. After that another renowned scientist named as Rudolf Diesel built a prime model of diesel engine with a 10 feet iron cylinder and flywheel at its base. This model was powered for the first time on August 10, 1893 in Augsburg, Germany. Thereafter this day is celebrated as International biodiesel day.

Many people believe that Diesel had designed this engine in such a manner that it can run on peanut oil. However, fact is that model designed by diesel could not run on peanut oil. It has been reported that Daniel once said "the use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today but such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum and the coal-tar products of the present time".

Vegetable Oil and Animal fat

Although, petroleum based fuels were widely used during those days, the demand for vegetable oil or animal fats based diesel oils were really high. Records have shown that during the 1920s and 1930s countries like Italy, France, United Kingdom, Portugal, Germany, Argentina, Japan, Brazil and China had tested and used animal fat or vegetable oil based diesel oils which is presently known as biodiesel. However, due to some scientific reasons those oils were no longer used. Also, these oils were poorly efficient as compared to normal petroleum based diesel oils. Thus as a tribute to our environment every year this day many NGOs and local organizations around the world conduct various activities that are beneficial for the environment.