In 1946, graduate engineer and Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Hans
List founded the engineering firm “IBL”, before renaming it to
“Anstalt für Verbrennungsmotoren Prof. Hans List” in 1948.
His goal was to develop modern engines, based on the latest
findings from basic research while simultaneously taking into
account the growing economic criteria within the industry.
The new company’s first order was the development of a ro-
bust industrial diesel engine. This went into series production
at the Jenbach plant in Tyrol and at the Andritz engineering
works in Graz in 1949. Even then, the success of the company
relied upon the pillars of development and construction exper-
tise, rigorous testing, and income generated from patents.
The 1940s
To this day, Hans List’s
publications remain
among the most
important scientifc
book series on internal
combustion engines
in the world.
engine departments at Mercedes-Benz and BMW. He was
commissioned to improve the efÏciency of aircraft engines by
performing tests on piston engines.
In the course of the German-Soviet War during World War II,
politicians planned to use large parts of Russia to produce
food, such as grain. Farms were to be set up in the colonized
regions, with the energy required being provided by wind tur-
bines. The intention was to store the electricity thus obtained
in accumulators and to use some of it to produce hydrogen
and oxygen. Hans List was given the task of creating the
hydrogen engine and making contact with scientists. However,
the project lost significance with the defeat of the German
army in Russia.
After the war, aged 50, Hans List took the step into entre-
preneurship and founded Ingenieurbüro List (IBL), the pre-
decessor to AVL. His dedication to technical advancement
and innovation continued to shape the many successes and
technological breakthroughs experienced throughout the his-
tory of AVL. He was even immortalized in the Guinness Book
of Records as the oldest patent holder in the world: at a proud
age of 99 years, he received a European patent, which served
to underline his sustained power of innovation. Hans List died
on September 10, 1996.
1952
Gold honorary coin from the Austrian
Engineering and Architectural Association
1955
Ackroyd Stuart Prize from the Institution
of Mechanical Engineers, England
1958
Gold medal of honor from the Republic
of Austria
1959
Decorated with ring of honor from the city of Graz
1963
Honorary doctorate from the Graz University of Technology
1967
Large silver medal of honor for services to the Republic of
Austria
1971
Prix de Promotion International Technique d’Institute
International de Promotion et de Prestige, Paris
1976
Honorary citizen of the city of Graz
1976
Large gold medal of honor with the star of the state of Styria
1980
Schrödinger Prize from the Austrian Academy of Sciences
1981
Awarded the medal of honor for science and art
by the Federal President
1981
Ring of honor from the state of Styria
1985
Honorary professor of Tongji University in China
1986
Large gold medal of honor with the star of the Republic of
Austria
1989
Kaplan Medal from the Austrian Association of Patent Holders
and Inventors
1989
Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Engineering (USA)
1989
Honorary member of the Austrian Association of Engineers and
Architects
1990
Special 50th Anniversary Horning Memorial Award, awarded by
SAE (USA)
1991
Honorary professor at Jiangsu University in China
1991
Soichiro Honda Medal of American Society of Mechanical
Engineers
Prof. Hans List
Honors and Accolades:
During his career,
Prof. Hans List
registered more than
300 patents.
75 YEARS AND BEYOND
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SPECIAL EDITION