Benz Patent Motor Car: The first automobile (1885–1886) | Mercedes-Benz Group (2024)

The first stationary gasoline engine developed by Carl Benz was a one-cylinder two-stroke unit which ran for the first time on New Year’s Eve 1879. Benz had so much commercial success with this engine that he was able to devote more time to his dream of creating a lightweight car powered by a gasoline engine, in which the chassis and engine formed a single unit.

The major features of the two-seater vehicle, which was completed in 1885, were the compact high-speed single-cylinder four-stroke engine installed horizontally at the rear, the tubular steel frame, the differential and three wire-spoked wheels. The engine output was 0.75 hp (0.55 kW). Details included an automatic intake slide, a controlled exhaust valve, high-voltage electrical vibrator ignition with spark plug, and water/thermo siphon evaporation cooling.

The first automobile

On January 29, 1886, Carl Benz applied for a patent for his “vehicle powered by a gas engine.” The patent – number 37435 – may be regarded as the birth certificate of the automobile. In July 1886 the newspapers reported on the first public outing of the three-wheeled Benz Patent Motor Car, model no. 1.

More information

Forerunners to the automobile
The Benz Patent Motor Car
Benz-Patent is Part of the World Documentary Heritage
Mercedes-Benz Museum: Visitor information

Long-distance journey by Bertha Benz (1888)

Bertha Benz and her sons Eugen and Richard during their long-distance journey in August 1888 with the Benz Patent Motor Car.

Using an improved version and without her husband’s knowledge, Benz’s wife Bertha and their two sons Eugen (15) and Richard (14) embarked on the first long-distance journey in automotive history on an August day in 1888. The route included a few detours and took them from Mannheim to Pforzheim, her place of birth. With this journey of 180 kilometers including the return trip Bertha Benz demonstrated the practicality of the motor vehicle to the entire world. Without her daring – and that of her sons – and the decisive stimuli that resulted from it, the subsequent growth of Benz & Cie. in Mannheim to become the world’s largest automobile plant of its day would have been unthinkable.

Double-pivot steering, contra engine, planetary gear transmission (1891 – 1897)

It was Carl Benz who had the double-pivot steering system patented in 1893, thereby solving one of the most urgent problems of the automobile. The first Benz with this steering system was the three-hp (2.2-kW) Victoria in 1893, of which slightly larger numbers with different bodies were built. The world’s first production car with some 1200 units built was the Benz Velo of 1894, a lightweight, durable and inexpensive compact car.

1897 saw the development of the “twin engine” consisting of two horizontal single-cylinder units in parallel, however this proved unsatisfactory. It was immediately followed by a better design, the “contra engine” in which the cylinders were arranged opposite each other. This was the birth of the horizontally-opposed piston engine. Always installed at the rear by Benz until 1900, this unit generated up to 16 hp (12 kW) in various versions.

The Benz patent motor car Victoria is the first vehicle with the double-pivot steering for which Carl Benz filed a patent in 1893.

Benz Patent Motor Car: The first automobile (1885–1886) | Mercedes-Benz Group (2024)

FAQs

Benz Patent Motor Car: The first automobile (1885–1886) | Mercedes-Benz Group? ›

On January 29, 1886, Carl Benz applied for a patent for his “vehicle powered by a gas engine.” The patent – number 37435 – may be regarded as the birth certificate of the automobile. In July 1886 the newspapers reported on the first public outing of the three-wheeled Benz Patent Motor Car, model no. 1.

What was the first car was the Benz patent motor car and patented in 1886? ›

On January 29, 1886, Carl Benz applied for a patent for his “vehicle powered by a gas engine.” The patent – number 37435 – may be regarded as the birth certificate of the automobile. In July 1886 the newspapers reported on the first public outing of the three-wheeled Benz Patent Motor Car, model no. 1.

What is the description of the Benz patent motor car? ›

The Benz Patent-Motorwagen was a motor tricycle with a rear-mounted engine. The vehicle contained many new inventions. It was constructed of steel tubing with woodwork panels. The steel-spoked wheels and solid rubber tires were Benz's own design.

Who made the first car in 1885 group of answer choices? ›

Karl Benz was a German mechanical engineer who designed and, in 1885, built the world's first practical automobile to be powered by an internal-combustion engine.

What was the purpose of the Benz patent-motorwagen? ›

Regarded as the world's first functional automobile, the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen modernized the way humans transported themselves, making the first step to move away from horse-drawn carriages.

Who made the first car in the world? ›

Where was the first car patented? ›

37435, submitted by Karl Benz on January 29, 1884, at the Reich Patent Office in Berlin. On January 29, 1886, Benz applied for an Imperial patent for his three-wheeled carriage powered by a one-cylinder, four-stroke gasoline engine. Reich Patent No. 37435 has been referred to as the birth certificate of the automobile.

How fast was the Benz patent? ›

The first vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine was a rather fragile creation – a three-wheeled, rear-engined carriage powered by a 0.95-litre engine. This engine provided 0.6bhp giving the Patent-Motorwagen a top speed of just under 10mph.

Who was granted with a patent for his first engine? ›

In 1879 Karl Benz was granted a patent for his first engine, which he designed in 1878. In 1885, Benz created the Motorwagen, the first commercial automobile, powered by a gasoline engine.

What is the name of the Benz concept car? ›

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class „Maybach by Virgil Abloh” is inspired by the electric Showcar Project MAYBACH.

Who controlled the patent on the automobile quizlet? ›

1879- George Baldwin filed for the first U.S. patent for an automobile.

What was the 1886 car called? ›

The "Velocipede" which originated in 1886 can be regarded as the world's first automobile, despite being limited to three wheels. Daimler "riding car" from 1885.

What did the drivers text message say? ›

In the film, Bradford explains that the driver was texting, "I'm on my way," when she struck X. No brake marks were found at the scene. "I'm asked the question often, 'Do you know what they were texting?' " she says.

How did the Benz patent motor car impact society? ›

Introduced in 1886 with an output of barely one horsepower, it changed human mobility for ever. At the time, only true pioneers could contemplate the switch from four legs to three wheels. Today, five generations on, Carl Benz' stroke of genius is for sale once again, this time in replica-model form.

What was the purpose of the first motor car? ›

Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot, a Frenchman, built a self-propelled vehicle with a steam engine in 1769. The cart, designed to move artillery pieces, moved at a walking pace (2 mph or 3.2 km/h) and had to stop every 20 minutes to build a new head of steam.

What was the impact of the Benz Motorwagen? ›

From the Archive: Carl Benz's first motor carriage was a lousy alternative to a horse in the 1880s, but it helped kickstart the automobile's profound advancement since.

Who built the first car in America? ›

In 1893, Charles Duryea and J. Frank, who were bicycle mechanics at the time, designed the first successful American gasoline automobile. Designed in Springfield Massachusetts, it would later be sold as the first American-made gas powered car in 1896.

When was the first car called? ›

1. Karl Benz invented the three-wheeled Motor Car, known as the “Motorwagen”, in 1866. It was the first true, modern automobile, and that's why many name him the actual inventor. Benz also patented his throttle system, spark plugs, gear shifter, water radiator, carburetor, and other fundamental vehicle elements.

Who made the first engine? ›

1807: One of the first known working internal combustion engines - called the Pyréolophore - is built by French inventors Claude Niépce and Nicéphore Niépce.

How many miles could the first car drive? ›

On 5 August 1888, she was the first person to drive an internal-combustion-engined automobile over a long distance, field testing the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, inventing brake lining and solving several practical issues during the journey of 105 km (65 miles).

Who owns the first car? ›

Most authorities are inclined to honour Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler of Germany as the most important pioneer contributors to the gasoline-engine automobile. Benz ran his first car in 1885, Daimler in 1886.

Did the first car run on gasoline? ›

How did the first cars work? A steam car burned fuel that heated water in a boiler. This process made steam that expanded and pushed pistons, which turned a crankshaft. An electric car had a battery that powered a small electric motor, which turned a drive shaft.

How many miles per gallon did the Benz patent motor car get? ›

The Patent-Motorwagen was controlled by a center steering crank and a hand brake. With its 0.75 horsepower engine it got 24 miles to the gallon and had a top speed of about 10 miles per hour.

How much was the first car cost? ›

How Much Did the First Car Cost? The Benz Patent-Motorwagen, built in 1886, is considered to have been the world's first automobile (a vehicle designed to be driven by an internal combustion engine). The original cost was $1,000, which is the equivalent of a staggering $29,909.36 in today's dollars!

How much is the first Mercedes worth? ›

The three-wheeled Patent-Motorwagen was built by Karl Benz in 1885 and sold for 600 German imperial marks, or just over $4000 in today's money.

Which came first diesel or gasoline? ›

Gasoline rose to prominence in 1892 while diesel took a little longer with some sources pointing to 1893 when it was first used and recognized as a fuel source. So with that in mind, gasoline was technically the first, as it gained popularity and commercial success faster than its diesel counterpart.

How much was a car in 1885? ›

The First Car. The Benz Patent-Motorwagen built in 1886, is widely regarded as the world's first automobile; that is, a vehicle designed to be propelled by an internal combustion engine. The original cost of the vehicle in 1885 was $1,000.

Who was the first patent for in the US? ›

The first U.S. patent

Issued to Samuel Hopkins for a process of making potash, an ingredient used in fertilizer. President George Washington signed the first patent.

Why is a Benz called a Benz? ›

The Mercedes-Benz name is a combination of two names: Mercedes Jellinek and Karl Benz. Originally, Mercedes-Benz was founded by Karl Benz and Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler and was part of Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, better known as DMG. The company was first known by the name Daimler-Benz, as an homage to the founders.

What is the world's fastest car? ›

What is the number one fastest car in the world? The fastest production car in the world in terms of projected figures (before an official run has been made) is the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut, with a calculated top speed target of over 310mph.

What is the Benz logo? ›

The Three-Pointed Star Logo Meaning

Today, a silver circle with a Three-Pointed Star in the center is now recognized as the Mercedes-Benz logo. While the logo meaning was rooted in family, it now has come to represent the strength and prevalence of Daimler engines on the land, on the sea, and in the air.

Who gets patent protection? ›

A patent protects an invention by allowing its inventor — or the group who owns the patent — control over who may use the invention. Patent applications are adjudicated by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and are valid for 20 years. An assignee is a person or group who owns a patent.

Who gives patent rights? ›

A patent is a legal right to an invention given to a person or entity without interference from others who wish to replicate, use, or sell it. Patents are granted by governing authorities and have a time limit, usually 20 years.

Who makes patent laws? ›

Our nation's founders recognized the value of intellectual property, and in the U.S. Constitution, they granted Congress the power to protect it. From the beginning of our nation, Congress has enacted patent and copyright laws to protect the works of creative people and to encourage others to be creative.

How fast was the first car? ›

On July 3, 1886, mechanical engineer Karl Benz drove the first automobile in Mannheim, Germany, reaching a top speed of 16 km/h (10 mph). The automobile was powered by a 0.75-hp one-cylinder four-stroke gasoline engine.

Does the first ever car still exist? ›

It's estimated around 25 Patent Motorwagens were built in period, the latest in 1893. Mercedes-Benz more recently constructed several replicas, now owned by museums all around the world—and each and every one of them still operates just as Karl Benz's own Motorwagen was designed to in 1886.

What was the first car in America? ›

In 1893, the first running, gasoline-powered American car was built and road-tested by the Duryea brothers of Springfield, Massachusetts. The first public run of the Duryea Motor Wagon took place on 21 September 1893, on Taylor Street in Metro Center Springfield.

Will DMV text you? ›

It's a scam if: You receive an unsolicited text claiming to be from the DMV. The DMV will not send you unsolicited texts, emails, or phone calls — especially ones that threaten you with legal action or offer you “free” money.

What is the far right lane on the highway for? ›

Use the left lane to pass or turn left. Use the right lane to enter or exit traffic.

How long does a text take your eyes off the road? ›

“Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field, blindfolded.” An entire football field. Picture the length of a football field, then think about all that could happen on a road in the distance between the two end zones.

How did the motor car change society? ›

The automobile gave people more personal freedom and access to jobs and services. It led to development of better roads and transportation. Industries and new jobs developed to supply the demand for automobile parts and fuel. These included petroleum and gasoline, rubber, and then plastics.

How did the car change society? ›

Cars Enabled People to Travel and Relocate More Readily

The most obvious change for everyday people was that cars gave them a way to get around quickly. Suddenly, people had a new mode of transportation that could get them more places, which meant leisure travel became something common folk could afford.

How did Karl Benz think of the car? ›

Invention of First Car

In 1885, Benz built a motorcar whose internal combustion engine was powered by gasoline. A love of bicycling had inspired his desire to create this vehicle, and his first design drew on the tricycle. Benz's three-wheeled automobile, which he called the Motorwagen, could carry two passengers.

What was the purpose of the motor car? ›

A motor vehicle, also known as motorized vehicle or automotive vehicle, is a self-propelled land vehicle, commonly wheeled, that does not operate on rails (such as trains or trams) and is used for the transportation of people or cargo.

What was the first idea of a car? ›

On January 29, 1886, Carl Benz applied for a patent for his “vehicle powered by a gas engine.” The patent – number 37435 – may be regarded as the birth certificate of the automobile. In July 1886 the newspapers reported on the first public outing of the three-wheeled Benz Patent Motor Car, model no. 1.

What are some facts about the first car? ›

It is the World's First 'Production' Automobile and 25 production version units of the motor car were sold between 1886 and 1893. World's first car had only three wheels as Benz was not satisfied with the steering systems available for four-wheelers back in 1886. The world's first car had a mileage of just 10km/l.

How did Karl Benz invention change the world? ›

Karl Benz invented the first automobile in 1866; it has changed the world in how we commute every day. From riding in carriages to now cutting our time travel whether it is riding a bus or our on car.

What fuel did the Benz Motorwagen use? ›

1 – Revolution: When Carl Benz invented the car in 1886, he revolutionised mobility. After many experiments, he decided on light petrol as a fuel for his fast-running four-stroke engine which, with almost 1 hp, accelerated the three-wheel Benz Patent-Motorwagen to a respectable 16 km/h.

What is the history of Benz car? ›

The Mercedes automobile was first marketed in 1901 by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG). Emil Jellinek-Mercedes, a Jewish-Austrian automobile entrepreneur who worked with DMG, registered the trademark in 1902, naming the 1901 Mercedes 35 hp after his daughter Mercedes Jellinek.

What did Daimler and Benz invent in 1886? ›

After working at other companies, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, who never met personally, simultaneously developed the world's first automobiles in Mannheim (Benz) and Stuttgart (Daimler) in the year 1886.

What was the first car by Benz? ›

The First Automobile

It began with the Motorwagen. Carl Benz was awarded German patent #37435 for a three-wheeled, self-propelled vehicle with a rear-mounted single-cylinder engine. In that instant, the world became smaller, and it set the course for our legacy of innovation that continues to this day.

What was Daimler Benz first car? ›

The Daimler Motorized Carriage was the first car produced by German engineers Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, who founded Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG). The first car was sold in 1892.

What was the first Mercedes car in 1926? ›

The Mercedes-Benz W02 was a midsize six-cylinder two-litre-engined automobile introduced by Daimler-Benz at the Berlin Motor Show in October 1926.

How fast is the Benz patent motor car? ›

The first vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine was a rather fragile creation – a three-wheeled, rear-engined carriage powered by a 0.95-litre engine. This engine provided 0.6bhp giving the Patent-Motorwagen a top speed of just under 10mph.

How much did the first car cost in 1886? ›

How Much Did the First Car Cost? The Benz Patent-Motorwagen, built in 1886, is considered to have been the world's first automobile (a vehicle designed to be driven by an internal combustion engine). The original cost was $1,000, which is the equivalent of a staggering $29,909.36 in today's dollars!

What was the first car brand? ›

According to the data, the first car brand in the world was Peugeot, which was established in 1842.

What is the story of the first car? ›

In 1885, German mechanical engineer, Karl Benz designed and built the world's first practical automobile to be powered by an internal-combustion engine. On January 29, 1886, Benz received the first patent (DRP No. 37435) for a gas-fueled car. It was a three-wheeler; Benz built his first four-wheeled car in 1891.

What was the first 4 wheel car ever made? ›

Gottlieb Daimler's motorized carriage was the world's first four-wheeled automobile. It was a conventional carriage into which Daimler and Maybach installed their small high-speed engine.

What was before Mercedes-Benz? ›

The Mercedes-Benz Group AG (previously named Daimler-Benz, DaimlerChrysler and Daimler) is a German multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is one of the world's leading car manufacturers. Daimler-Benz was formed with the merger of Benz & Cie.

What was the name before Mercedes-Benz? ›

Originally, Mercedes-Benz was founded by Karl Benz and Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler and was part of Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, better known as DMG. The company was first known by the name Daimler-Benz, as an homage to the founders.

What was Mercedes first logo? ›

The brainchild of the sons of Gottlieb Daimler, Paul and Adolf Daimler, the original Mercedes-Benz logo was a gold star. Inspiration for this design came from a symbol used by their father to mark family postcards.

What is the most expensive car ever sold? ›

1. The world's most expensive car: the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe became the most expensive car ever sold in 2022, having sold at auction for an eye-watering €135 million - the equivalent of £114.4 million.

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