A turbocharger consists of two metal pinwheels supported by a common shaft and enclosed by housings. One housing routes the engine's exhaust gases to what is called the turbine wheel. The other housing contains the pinwheel called a compressor. The engine's hot exhaust gases cause the turbine to spin at high speed - up to 100,000 rpm. Since the compressor is connected to it, it spins at the same rpm, drawing in a high volume of fresh air that's delivered by tubular ducts to the engine's intake valves. This excess fresh air increases the power produced by the engine. As the timeline below notes, the concept of turbocharging is nearly as old as the automobile. It's a brilliant idea that will see extensive use in the future because it allows small, fuel-efficient engines to produce ample power.
1905 International patents issued to engineer Alfred Buchi for a "combustion machine consisting of a compressor, a piston engine, and a turbine in sequential arrangement."
1915 French engineer Auguste Rateau explores turbocharging for WWI aircraft.
1918 General Electric engineer Sanford Moss proves effectiveness of turbocharging on Liberty V-12 aircraft engine at Pikes Peak.
1921 Lieutenant John Macready pilots LePere biplane with turbo-Liberty power to 40,800-foot altitude record.
1925 Two German navy ships built with Buchi turbos.
1926 First railroad applications.
1942-45 300,000 turbos built by GE and Ford during WWII.
1949Turbo-diesel trucks produced in Europe.
1950Cummins Engine Company begins building turbo-diesel truck engines in U.S.
1952 Fred Agabashian qualifies on Indianapolis 500 pole with Cummins turbo-diesel power, goes only 177 miles before dropping out due to tire debris clogging his turbocharger.
1962 Oldsmobile introduces Cutlass F-85 Jetfire, the first turbocharged automobile; Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder follows in a few weeks.
1966 Turbo Offy engines appear at Indy 500, win two years later.
1968 Turbocharged BMW wins European Touring Car Championship.
1969 Bob McKee builds first turbocharged racer for Can-Am series.
1972 Porsche and Penske team up to race turbocharged 12-cylinder car in Can-Am.
1976 Turbocharged entries dominate Le Mans 24-hour race.
1977 Renault introduces turbocharging in Formula 1.
1979 First turbo Formula 1 victory (Renault).
1982 Honda CX500T is first turbocharged motorcycle.
1983 Nelson Piquet wins Formula 1 Championship with a turbocharged Brabham-BMW.
1989 Turbocharging is so civilized that Chrysler Corporation uses it in minivans.
2002 Honda introduces first turbocharged personal watercraft.
2006 Turbos lead boost race with 41 car and truck applications versus 17 supercharged models.
2008 Since turbos and diesels are a marriage made in heaven, every diesel sold in U.S. cars and trucks uses one or two turbochargers.