Desmond Winterbone graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Rugby College of Engineering Technology while undertaking a student apprenticeship with the Electric Co. Ltd, where he developed his interest in reciprocating engines. He obtained his PhD at the University of Bath and in that same year he joined UMIST. Richard Pearson graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Liverpool and then worked at Ricardo Consulting Engineers. He received his PhD in the area of computer simulation of internal combustion engines and then worked at UMIST in the Internal Combustion Engines Group.