PERTH: West Australian inventor Ralph Sarich has emerged from seclusion to finally declare success in commercialising the  orbital engine he first unveiled more than 50 years ago. (main picture)

Mr Sarich, who has not been seen in public since the early 1980s – said he had finally perfected the new engine technology which first captivated attention when it earned him the title of Inventor of the Year after his appearance on the ABC TV program The Inventors in 1972.

“Since then I have tried to improve the technology with a view to having the world’s car makers adopt orbital engines,” the now 84-year-old inventor said.

“I’ve spent decades locked away in my laboratory, cut off from the world, not even listening to or reading any news.

“But I can now declare that I have developed the orbital engine to the commercial-ready stage and it will deliver big savings in petrol, oil, and other fossil fuel costs.

“As everyone agreed way back in 1972, it really is the future of motoring. In fact the first news bulletin I heard just this morning after 40 years in isolation was about the high cost of living so I reckon my timing is perfect,” Mr Sarich said.