Founder and pioneer

Throughout history, numerous women have played pivotal roles in the successes of their renowned husbands, and Bertha Benz stands out as a prime example. Born Bertha Ringer on May 3, 1849, in Pforzheim, she married Carl Benz on July 20, 1872, at the age of 23. Her unwavering support was crucial; without Bertha's steadfast belief in her husband's vision, Benz & Co. might never have come to fruition.

Bertha was more than just a supportive spouse; she was Carl Benz's backbone during times of financial strain and personal doubt. Her optimism was unshakable, and her analytical mind was key in navigating through tough times, always finding a way out when the path seemed darkest.

Even before their marriage, when Carl was on the brink of financial ruin due to his business partner August Ritter, Bertha made a decisive move. She chose to have her dowry paid out early, a selfless act that provided just enough funds to clear debts and buy out Ritter. This decision not only saved Carl's business but also empowered Bertha to steer their future endeavors. Her actions were not just supportive; they were transformative, cementing her role not only in her husband's life but in the history of automotive innovation.

His inspiration: her courage and confidence

Thanks to Bertha's unwavering faith in her husband and his groundbreaking invention, Carl Benz persisted through numerous setbacks. On January 29, 1886, the moment of truth arrived: Carl applied for a patent for his three-wheeled "vehicle powered by a gas engine." Bertha was instrumental in this pivotal success, which marked a significant milestone for mobility. Today, patent specification DRP 37435 is celebrated as the birth certificate of the automobile.

Carl Benz went on to develop further variants of his patented motor car, each with enhanced features. However, despite the public's initial enthusiasm, commercial success eluded them, plunging Carl into bouts of depressive doubt. Once again, it was Bertha who saw the light at the end of the tunnel. She recognized that the public remained skeptical about the functionality and reliability of this machine driven by "mysterious forces." Seizing the initiative, Bertha Benz embarked on what would become the world's first automobile road trip—a bold publicity stunt.

This audacious journey not only demonstrated the practicality of the motor car but also dispelled doubts about its capabilities, setting the stage for the eventual commercial triumph of their invention. Bertha's foresight and courage were crucial in transforming skepticism into acceptance, paving the way for the automotive age.

The first woman at the wheel

With unwavering resolve, Bertha Benz took the wheel of the Patent Motor Car herself. She was convinced that the only way to prove the vehicle's everyday reliability was to show it in action. Without informing her husband, Bertha embarked on a bold publicity tour in the early hours of an August morning in 1888. Accompanied by her two sons, Eugen (15) and Richard (14), she drove one of Carl's three-wheelers from Mannheim to Pforzheim.By nightfall, this daring trio had reached their destination unscathed. Bertha sent a telegram to Carl Benz, proudly announcing that the first long-distance journey with his Patent Motor Car had been a triumph. News of this remarkable journey spread like wildfire: a woman and two boys on a hissing, clattering horseless carriage—surely, some whispered, the work of the Devil.

Yet, Bertha Benz had accomplished her mission: she had silenced the skeptics regarding the car's reliability, and suddenly, everyone was talking about the Benz Patent Motor Car. Without her dedication and fearless spirit, the automobile might have faced a more arduous journey into the future. Reflecting on this, Carl Benz wrote in his memoirs: "Only one person stood by me in the small ship of life when it seemed destined to sink. That was my wife. Bravely and resolutely she set the new sails of hope." Bertha Benz passed away on May 5, 1944, just two days after celebrating her 95th birthday, in Ladenburg, where the family had made their last home.

Bertha Benz was the financial and emotional backbone that allowed her husband, Carl Benz, to establish his own company and pursue his revolutionary invention. She not only invested her inheritance but also imbued the project with her vibrant personality, making a technological breakthrough possible. Her clear vision and understanding of the significance of her husband's work were crucial, as she was determined to see his vision realized. It's evident that Bertha possessed a formidable personality, far beyond being just the "supportive wife" behind an influential husband. She was the driving force, encouraging Carl to trust in his capabilities, navigate through tough times, and persevere with each challenge.

“My great-grandmother was always of immense importance to me," shares Jutta Benz, the great-granddaughter of Bertha and Carl Benz. "The pivotal role she played in bringing my great-grandfather’s invention to life has always been a significant topic in our family. I've dedicated much of my effort to ensuring that Bertha's contributions are recognized. She was essential to making all this happen."

In the late 1800s, the role of a wife included managing a household, raising five children, and handling all domestic duties. This means Bertha's achievements were doubly significant compared to those of her male contemporaries. "So, if I may say so, it's high time that Bertha Benz is inducted into the hall of fame—32 years after Carl and 135 years after her contributions. For me, it's profoundly satisfying to see my great-grandmother finally being honored for her part in this story," Jutta concludes.

Until now, Bertha Benz has been celebrated primarily for her legendary role as the first person to embark on a long-distance automotive road trip. In August 1888, she drove from Mannheim to Pforzheim with her sons Richard and Eugen, without her husband's knowledge. This journey, which today would take about an hour to cover approximately 100 km (60 miles), was a much longer endeavor in those days.

According to her great-granddaughter Jutta Benz, this trip was not only brave but also resourceful. Bertha chose not to prepare the drive in a way that would alert her husband, taking on any mechanical issues herself. When she encountered problems, she ingeniously solved them. She made a stop at a pharmacy in Wiesloch, which is now considered the world's first gas station, to purchase "Ligroin," a cleaning fluid essential for keeping the car running.

Another memorable stop was at a shoemaker's shop where she had the leather on a brake shoe repaired. She even used the pin from her hat to unclog a fuel line and employed her garter as an insulator for an ignition wire, demonstrating her practical understanding of the vehicle's mechanics. Her improvisations during this journey not only kept the car moving but also provided valuable feedback for Carl Benz, making Bertha the first de facto quality manager in the automobile industry. Through her pioneering venture, she convincingly demonstrated that her husband's invention was indeed practical for everyday use.

But that road trip was merely the beginning of an epic tale of success for the automobile. This journey not only validated Carl Benz's work but also significantly boosted both sales and marketing, propelling the Benz patent motor car to market success. In the years that followed, with new innovations rolling out, Benz & Cie. emerged as the world's leading automobile manufacturer at the dawn of the 20th century. Now, Bertha Benz has been rightfully inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame alongside her husband, Carl.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Carl Benz's automotive patent stands as a major contributor to the world's cultural heritage. In recognition of its global significance and as a symbol of the birth of our modern mobile society, it was officially added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in May 2011.