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.