The First Automobile

By: Jacob Mofield

March, 2010

Karl Benz’s Early Life

Karl Benz was born on November 25, 1844. His name when he was born was Karl Fredrich Michael Vaillant. His father, Johann George Benz, died when Karl was only two in a railroad accident. He changed his name to Karl Fredrich Benz in remembrance of his dad.

Karl’s Life as a kid

In 1853 when Karl was 9, he went to Lyzeum, a scientifically oriented school. September 30, 1860 Karl Benz passed the entrance test, or exam to the University of Karlsruhe. He graduated on July 9, 1864. While has was riding his bicycle, he came up with the idea of concepts that would eventually become the horseless carriage.

His First Engineering Company

When Benz was 27, he joined August Ritter in making a mechanical workshop in Mannheim. It was also dedicated in making construction materials. It was called Iron Foundry, Mechanical Workshop, and Factory Machines for Sheet-metal Working.

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Benz and Co. and The Motor Wagon

His life long hobby brought him to working at a bicycle repair shop in Mannheim. In 1883, Benz, Max Rose and Fredrich Wilhelm Esslinger founded a company that produced industrial machines: Benz & Company Reheinische Gasmotoren-Fabrik, or Benz & Co.

The Horseless Carriage

Karl Benz put the first internal combustion engine in a three-wheeled carriage, or wagon in 1885 in Mannheim, Germany. It was a 4stroke, single bore and tubular metal welded to make the frame, or chassis. It moved by a chain link that went from the engine belt and down to the rear axle to get this 1600cc, 0.25 horsepower wagon to it’s top speed: 8 mph.

Benz’s Last Years

Karl Benz died on April 4, 1929,at age 84 because of a bronchial inflammation. Bertha Benz, his wife, resided at their house until May 5, 1944 when she died.

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