Karl Benz birth name Carl Friedrich Benz and sometimes known as Carl Benz (Born on 25 November 1844 – Died on 4 April 1929) was a German engine designer and a pioneer in the automotive industry. Karl Benz is known for founding the Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1886 which is considered the first practical motorcar.
In 1926, Benz Patent-Motorwagen merged with Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and became Mercedes-Benz. On January 29, 1886, he received a patent for his invention of motorcar, and in June he introduced the first petrol motor vehicle.
Facts About Karl Benz
- Born: 25 November 1844, Mühlburg, Baden, German Confederation
- Full name: Karl Friedrich Michael Vaillant
- Known For: Invention the first practical automobile
- Nationality: German
- Religion: Christianity
- Education: University of Karlsruhe
- Occupation: Engineer
- Spouse(s): Bertha Benz (m. 1872 – 1929)
- Children:
Ellen Benz
Richard Benz
Thilde Benz
Eugen Benz
Clara Benz - Father: Johann George Benz
- Mother: Josephine Vaillant
- Died: 4 April 1929 (aged 84), Ladenburg, Baden, Germany
- Burial: Cemetery of Ladenburg
- Net Worth: $1.5 million (Approx. in 2020)
Early Life of Karl Benz
Karl Benz was born on November 25, 1844, in Mühlburg, Germany. As the only son of Johann George Benz and Josephine Vaillant, Karl’s dad was a train driver. When he was only two years old, his father Johann George Benz died of pneumonia. The mother wanted to give her son a decent education.
After graduating from a primary school in Karlsruhe, Karl entered the technical lyceum (now the Bismarck gymnasium ) in 1853, and then, in 1860, the polytechnic university.
In his youth, Friedrich Benz was fond of photography and repairing wall clocks. On July 9, 1864, at the age of 19, he graduated from the Faculty of Technical Mechanics at the University of Karlsruhe. Pupil of Ferdinand Redtenbacher.
He worked at an engineering plant in Karlsruhe. After two years of work as a mechanic, he quit. For 5 years he worked as an engineer and designer at engineering plants in Mannheim, Pforzheim, and even for some time in Vienna.
In 1871, together with August Ritter, he organized a mechanical workshop in Mannheim. The workshop produced hardware and metal building materials, equipment. Soon Karl Benz bought out the partner’s share with money received from the bride’s father, Bertha Ringer.
Karl Benz Family
On July 20, 1872, Karl Benz married Bertha Ringer. They later had five children:
- Eugen Benz (May 1, 1873 – March 9, 1958)
- Richard Benz (October 21, 1874 – September 19, 1955)
- Clara Benz (August 1, 1877 – February 18, 1968)
- Thilde Benz (February 2, 1882 – January 13, 1974)
- Ellen Benz (March 16, 1890 – April 21, 1973)
Karl Benz Invention
During the period 1878-79, Karl Benz has developed an internal combustion engine of two-stroke and then a four-stroke engine light. He h as also developed or improved many other parts of the motor vehicle as actuator Differential, drive shaft crank, ignition (spark plugs), carburetors, coolers with water, and gearbox.
In 1885 he built the first “automobile”, a 3-wheeled vehicle with an internal combustion engine and electric igniter for the first time in Mannheim (Germany) in 1886. The car has 0.8 horsepower (0.6 kW) and reaches the fastest speed of 16 km/h.
On January 29, 1886, Carl Benz wrote industrial history by registering patent number 37435 for this vehicle at the Imperial Patent Authority (German: Reich patentamt). Carl Benz has been widely mocked by the public for his work. This vehicle has been derided as a “horseless carriage”.
But on the other hand, the newspaper “General gazette of the city of Mannheim” in September 1886 commented that “this car will have a good future”, as it “is not very usable and because it will become Cheapest means of transport with fast speeds for commuting businesses and also for tourists “.
Karl Benz found the same way and continually improved his car. His wife, Bertha Benz, made the first long trip from Mannheim to Pforzheim (Germany).
In 1888 by participating in the “Exhibition of working machines and power machines” in Munich (Germany) this new vehicle (“completely replaced the carriage!”) Became known outside of Germany, but yet people who might be customers are still skeptical.
The popularization of cars started in France, which had the best road system at that time. The new Carl Benz models were shown at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1889.
Karl Benz Death
On April 4, 1929, Karl Benz died at home in Ladenburg at the age of 84 from Acute Bronchitis inflammation. After his death, Bertha Benz takes care of his company and house until her death on 5 May 1944.
Karl Benz Mercedes
In 1924, Carl Benz and Paul Daimler (son and successor of Gottlieb Daimler and owner of the Mercedes brand ceded by Emil Jellinek-Mercedes) pooled their interests. The two companies will merge in 1926 and become the Mercedes-Benz firm.
Karl Benz Quotes
- We use the coastline as much as the sea otters. And we take fish from the water, we swim in the water, surf in the water. And what’s happening to the sea otter could very well be happening to a much larger picture than just the animals themselves.
- Friends say it’s fine, friends say it’s good Everybody says it’s just like Rock ‘n Roll I move like a cat, charge like a ram Sting like a bee baby, I wanna be your man Well, it’s plain to see you were meant for me, yeah And I’m your toy, your 20th-century boy.
- The opening of the club will fill a void in the area. It’s an exciting addition and a great inexpensive night out for the family.