This was principle only, there was NO engine built to prove the concept. 1862: The German Nikolaus Otto begins to manufacture a no compression gas Lenoir engine with a free piston.[13] 1864: Nikolaus Otto, patented in England and other countries his first atmospheric gas engine. Otto was the first to build and sell this type of compressionless engine designed with an indirect-acting free-piston, whose great efficiency won the support of Eugen Langen and then most of the market, which at that time was mainly for small stationary engines fueled by lighting gas.