Mercedes-Benz History
1885-1886: The first automobile
Imagine the scene: New Year's Eve, 1879. Carl Benz, a visionary in the world of mechanics, ignites the spark of a revolution with his first stationary gasoline engine. This was no ordinary machine; it was a one-cylinder, two-stroke marvel that would change the course of history. The commercial success of this engine was so significant that Benz could now pour all his energy into his ultimate dream: building a lightweight car where the engine and chassis were one seamless unit.
By 1885, Benz's dream took shape in the form of a two-seater vehicle, a pioneer in automotive design. This car featured a compact, high-speed, single-cylinder four-stroke engine, ingeniously installed horizontally at the rear. The structure was supported by a tubular steel frame, complemented by a differential and three wire-spoked wheels. With an output of just 0.75 horsepower (0.55 kW), the car was equipped with advanced features for its time: an automatic intake slide, a controlled exhaust valve, high-voltage electrical vibrator ignition with a spark plug, and an innovative water/thermo siphon evaporation cooling system.
The culmination of Benz's efforts came on January 29, 1886, when he filed for a patent for his "vehicle powered by a gas engine." This patent, numbered 37435, can be seen as nothing less than the birth certificate of the automobile. The first public appearance of this groundbreaking three-wheeled Benz Patent Motor Car, model no. 1, was reported in July 1886, captivating the imagination of the public and heralding a new era in transportation.
1888: Long-distance journey by Bertha Benz
On a balmy August day in 1888, Bertha Benz, unbeknownst to her husband, embarked on a groundbreaking adventure with her two sons, Eugen (15) and Richard (14). They set out on what would become the first long-distance journey in automotive history, driving from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Bertha's birthplace. This daring escapade covered a total of 180 kilometers round trip, navigating through detours and challenges.
Bertha Benz's bold venture did more than just prove the motor vehicle's practicality; it showcased its potential to the world. Her journey was a catalyst for change, providing the decisive momentum that propelled Benz & Cie. in Mannheim to grow into what was, at the time, the world’s largest automobile plant. Without her courage, and the adventurous spirit of her sons, the automotive industry might have taken a very different path.
1891 – 1897: Double-pivot steering, contra engine, planetary gear transmission
In 1893, Carl Benz revolutionized automotive design by patenting the double-pivot steering system, addressing one of the car's most pressing issues. The first model to feature this innovation was the three-horsepower (2.2-kW) Victoria, which saw the production of several variants with diverse body styles.
The automotive landscape was further transformed in 1894 with the introduction of the Benz Velo. This lightweight, robust, and affordable compact car became the world's first production vehicle, with an impressive run of approximately 1,200 units.
However, not all innovations were immediately successful. In 1897, Benz experimented with a "twin engine" setup, featuring two parallel, horizontal single-cylinder units. This design fell short of expectations, but it paved the way for a superior solution: the "contra engine." Here, the cylinders were positioned opposite each other, marking the inception of the horizontally-opposed piston engine. These engines were mounted at the rear until 1900, evolving through various versions to deliver up to 16 horsepower (12 kW).
1886-1920
Beginnings of the automobile
Few inventions have left as indelible a mark on global progress as the automobile. At the dawn of the automotive age in the late 19th century, two visionaries, Gottlieb Daimler (1834-1900) and Carl Benz (1844-1929), emerged as the pioneers of car manufacturing.
Daimler, with his Daimler Motorengesellschaft (DMG), and Benz, through his Rheinische Gasmotorenfabrik, laid the groundwork for what would eventually become Daimler-Benz AG in 1926. Although these innovators never met face-to-face, their paths converged through their groundbreaking work in Mannheim and Stuttgart, respectively, where in 1886, they independently developed the world's first automobiles. However, the journey from invention to widespread economic impact spanned several years, highlighting the challenges of turning visionary ideas into practical, marketable realities.
1885: Daimler 1.5-hp one-cylinder engine "grandfather clock"
Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, colleagues from their time at the Reutlingen Brotherhood's engineering works, revolutionized transportation by adapting a gas or kerosene/paraffin engine for use on a two-wheeler. This groundbreaking engine, significantly smaller, lighter, and more powerful than its predecessors, earned the nickname "grandfather clock" due to its distinctive shape. In November 1885, this innovative two-wheeled vehicle, dubbed the 'riding car,' triumphantly completed its first test run.
Daimler "riding car" from 1885.
1886: The "Velocipede"
Benz also recognized the critical importance of a lightweight engine, setting himself the ambitious goal of creating what he described as a "dwarf in terms of weight, but a titan in terms of power."
Without any existing designs to build upon, and with no established method for steering a four-wheeled vehicle, Benz focused his efforts on a simpler design. He concentrated on constructing a three-wheeled vehicle. The result was the "Velocipede," which emerged in 1886 and is widely regarded as the world's first automobile, despite its three-wheel configuration.
1886: The Motor Car (Motor Carriage)
In the same year, just 100 kilometers away, Daimler unveiled his revolutionary motor carriage, heralded as the world's first four-wheeled automobile. This vehicle was essentially a light coach equipped with an enhanced version of what was affectionately known as the "grandfather clock" engine. Recognizing the broader potential of his engines early on, by 1886, Daimler was already contemplating the motorization of boats, rail vehicles, and even aircraft.
In the early days, both Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz were eager to thrust their groundbreaking inventions onto the international stage.
While Carl Benz relied initially on a single agent in France, Gottlieb Daimler leveraged a network of international contacts to his advantage. He swiftly secured lucrative licensing deals, particularly in France and Britain. At the 1876 World's Fair in Philadelphia, Wilhelm Maybach met William Steinway, introducing him to Daimler by the late 1880s. After visiting Cannstatt, Steinway clinched exclusive rights to represent the full spectrum of Daimler's offerings in the USA and Canada. Conversely, Carl Benz didn't establish significant international connections until the century's end. Yet, he found unexpected success not only in Britain but also in the USA and South Africa.
Beyond their quest for global market penetration, both innovators were relentless in enhancing their products. Wilhelm Maybach, an engineer at DMG, developed the spray-nozzle carburetor, a pivotal advancement in automotive history. This innovation, still in use today, marked a significant leap in engine technology. The first long-distance tours in France and Britain showcased the petrol engine's dominance over steam, highlighting the technical superiority of Daimler's designs. Carl Benz also made a monumental leap forward in 1893 with the invention of double-pivot steering, revolutionizing the control of four-wheeled vehicles.
1894: The Benz Velo
The Benz Velo, launched in 1894, was a monumental commercial success. It was the world's first series-produced automobile. Following its triumph, Benz introduced an engine-powered bus and truck, further revolutionizing transportation.
1901: Mercedes 35 hp at the Nice race week
From the outset, motorsport played a pivotal role in popularizing automotive innovations, primarily by showcasing the impressive performance capabilities of cars to the public.
Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft set the stage for future triumphs by building a racing car at the behest of Emil Jellinek. Named after Jellinek's daughter, Mercedes, this vehicle became legendary. In late March 1901, the Mercedes 35 hp model proved its mettle by dominating the Nice racing week, clinching a sensational victory.
This sporting triumph wasn't just a feather in DMG's cap; it translated into significant financial gains. Following this success, DMG capitalized on the racing pedigree by producing workaday versions of these high-performance vehicles, laying a robust foundation for their business in the years to come.
The "Mercedes" trademark (Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft) was registered on September 23, 1902.
In 1902, the company proudly secured the patent for the brand name "Mercedes." Fueled by the soaring demand from their triumphs in motor racing, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) decided to ramp up production. They expanded their operations significantly by moving the factory from Cannstatt to Untertürkheim in December 1903.
From the very outset, both company founders were unwavering in their commitment to the highest quality standards, encapsulated by their mottos "the best of the good" and "the best or nothing," a trait that defines the company to this day. In the years leading up to the First World War, despite fierce competition, the enterprises established by these pioneers matured into world-leading manufacturers of both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. After 1908, both DMG and Benz & Cie. expanded their focus to include commercial vehicles. However, the growth in this sector was notably slower than that of car production before the war. Consequently, commercial vehicles became a significant secondary pillar for both companies.
1913: Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft advertisement: "Aircraft Engine"
From 1888, the internal combustion engine found its way into aviation, starting with airships and later extending to airplanes. Although aircraft engine manufacturing contributed only marginally to sales before World War I, it was viewed as a promising market segment. This potential was symbolized by the introduction of the Mercedes star as the company logo in 1909, which to this day represents "mobility on land, on water, and in the air."
However, the onset and progression of World War I dramatically altered the order portfolios of the two companies. Private demand was largely replaced by state, typically military, orders, which directly influenced the decision to establish the Sindelfingen facility. During the war, production at both companies was almost entirely dedicated to supporting the war effort and supplying the front lines. Consequently, the product range underwent a significant transformation, bearing little resemblance to what was offered during peacetime. By the end of this period, these companies had become Germany's largest manufacturers of aero engines.
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