[userbinator]

I consider the headline slightly misleading, since compression ignition engines that run on a variety of fuels, including gasoline, were relatively popular around the turn of the century:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot-bulb_engine#Advantages

Another big attraction with the hot-bulb engine was its ability to run on a wide range of fuels. Even poorly combustible fuels could be used, since a combination of vaporiser- and compression ignition meant that such fuels could be made to burn. The usual fuel was fuel oil, similar to modern-day diesel fuel, but natural gas, kerosene, crude oil, vegetable oil or creosote could also be used.

Also known as "semidiesels".