A review of the brief history of catalytic combustion in internal combustion (IC) engines suggests that catalytic combustion may aid in fuel ignition, but can also cause increased flame-quenching because of surface catalytic oxidation of unburned fuel in the gas boundary layer. The effect of catalytic combustion on heat transfer measurements in engines is also discussed, with the controversial Woschni effect, wherein thermal insulation appears to increase heat rejection from the combustion chamber, being shown to be probably only a manifestation of catalytic combustion.