This image was part of a commission to illustrate the history of satellite technology. The commissioning company, SES, wanted an image that specifically communicated the advances in satellite battery technology.

The story:

It’s hard to believe the Japanese manufacturers’ domination of the Isle of Man TT from the 1960s was thanks to a German rocket engineer and a traitorous motorcycle racer and his suitcase
full of secrets.

But during World War Two East German engineer Walter Kaaden worked on rocket-powered missiles. Indeed, many claim he worked for V-2 scientist Walter von Braun. And during this period Kaaden learnt how to harness the resonance of exhaust gases – and when he joined the MZ motorcycle factory after the war he used this knowledge to transform the power delivery of the two-stroke engine.

Kaaden became manager of the MZ racing team, and his 125cc two-strokes were the first to achieve 200bhp/litre.

One of Kaaden’s star riders was the ambitious Ernst Degner. During one TT he is thought to have met with members of
the Suzuki team, who were struggling with under-performing bikes.

A deal was struck – and in 1961 Degner defected from East Germany, taking the secrets of MZ’s all-conquering two stroke with him in a suitcase. The era of the Japanese had arrived.

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