Which inventor is known for improving the functionality of the internal combustion engine?

Rudolph Diesel is recognized for improving the functionality of the internal combustion engine by developing the diesel engine, which operates on a different principle than the gasoline engine. His design uses compression for ignition rather than a spark, making it more efficient and suitable for heavy-duty applications like trucks and ships. This advancement significantly impacted transportation and industrial machinery by providing engines that were more powerful, durable, and fuel-efficient.

The other inventors mentioned, while influential in their own rights, focused on different areas of technology. Michael Faraday was a pioneer in electromagnetism and electrochemistry; Thomas Edison is best known for his work on electric light and power systems; and the Wright brothers made groundbreaking contributions to aviation. Each of these figures played crucial roles in technological advancements, but only Rudolph Diesel specifically improved the internal combustion engine itself.