Lenoir, Jean Joseph Etienne, luh NWAHR, zhahn zhoh ZEHF ay TYEHN (1822-1900), a Belgian-born French inventor, built the first practical internal-combustion engine in 1860. This single-cylinder engine resembled a steam engine, but used street-lighting gas for fuel and had a storage-battery ignition system. Lenoir's engine started more quickly and easily than a steam engine and was more convenient to use. About 500 of the engines were sold. Lenoir used one of his one-horsepower engines to power a crude motor vehicle, and a two-horsepower engine to drive a boat. However, his engines used much fuel and lubricating oil, and the ignition system did not work well. The Lenoir engines soon became unpopular. Lenoir died in poverty on Aug. 4, 1900. But his work encouraged others to develop internal-combustion engines. Lenoir was born on Jan. 12, 1822. See also Automobile; Gasoline engine.