Karl Benz.
Karl Friedrich Benz was born on November 25, 1844, in Mühlburg, Germany. Interestingly, his father was a locomotive driver, but he passed away when Karl was just two, leaving his mother, Josephine, to
raise him alone. Despite a childhood marked by near poverty, Benz excelled in school and graduated in mechanical engineering from the University of Karlsruhe. Early in his career, Benz
demonstrated remarkable talent through various inventions. In 1883, he co-founded a company that produced industrial machines, which would later become the birthplace of the Motorwagen.
The Origins of the Motorwagen.
On July 20, 1872, Karl Benz married Bertha Ringer, an automotive pioneer and engineer in her own right. Bertha played a crucial role in Benz’s success, initially investing in her future husband’s
business and later becoming his long-term business partner. After selling their Iron Foundry and Mechanical Workshop in Mannheim, Karl and Bertha established a new company focused on
producing industrial machines: Benz & Companie Rheinische Gasmotoren-Fabrik, commonly known as Benz & Cie. It was within this company that Benz pursued his dream of creating a horseless
carriage, and with the addition of the company’s stationary gas engines, the Benz Patent Motorwagen came to life.
When Was the Motorwagen Created?
Karl Benz completed the first version of his Motorwagen in 1885 and secured a patent for it on January 29, 1885, under the title ‘motorcar fueled by gas.’
This groundbreaking vehicle saw several iterations over the following years, with the Model 3 debuting at the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris.
In 1894, Benz introduced the Benz Velo, a four-wheeled vehicle regarded as the world’s first mass-produced motorcar.
The Manufacturing Process.
Karl Benz had been developing the Motorwagen piece by piece since the 1870s, ultimately bringing it to market in the mid-1880s. As expected for the world’s first automobile, production was prolonged especially by today’s standards.
Each car was meticulously handcrafted, with Benz overseeing every detail. From 1886 to 1893, Benz completed just 25 Motorwagens, averaging about one car every three months.
This slow pace improved significantly with the introduction of the Benz Velo in 1894, which saw a production run of 1,200 units.
Motorwagen Design.
The Benz Patent Motorwagen was a groundbreaking design. This three-wheeled vehicle featured a rear-mounted engine, primarily made of steel tubing with wooden panels. Benz’s design of the steel-spoked wheels and rubber tires, and the steering achieved through a toothed rack that pivoted the
front wheel, were innovative for the time. The Motorwagen employed a belt system for a single-speed transmission, elliptic springs at the rear, and a chain drive with a beam axle on both sides, all of which were significant advancements in automotive engineering.
Powering the Motorwagen.
Karl Benz may have patented his Motorwagen, but in 1886, there was virtually no access to combustible fuel in Mannheim.
Thinking creatively, the team at Benz & Cie turned to the crude gasoline used for cleaning, commonly found in pharmacies making pharmacies the world’s first gas stations! Interestingly, the very first Motorwagen lacked a fuel tank, which was later added to Models 2 and 3
What Was the Cost?
Surprisingly, the Motorwagen was quite affordable, a fact that may surprise many. Despite its complexity and the time required for production, it was priced at 600 German Goldmarks—equivalent to $150 in 1886 or about $4,500 in 2021.
For comparison, the lowest price ever for the Ford Model T, often considered the first affordable car, was $260 in 1925, during the height of assembly line production, which would be just under $4,000 in today’s dollars.
Motorwagen’s Success.
The Benz Patent Motorwagen was not just a vehicle but a catalyst for significant growth in the automotive industry. Its success drove substantial expansion for Benz & Cie.
Karl and Bertha’s company grew rapidly, employing 430 people by the end of the 19th century, making it the world’s
largest automaker. Production soared, with Benz & Cie manufacturing 572 units in 1899 alone. The Motorwagen paved the way for subsequent successes, such as the four-wheeled Benz Velo and the
Hildebrand-Wolfmüller motorcycle. Its impact on the industry is undeniable, and the rest, as they say, is history.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings