Many people know that the world’s first gasoline engine driven four-wheel car was invented by Mercedes Benz in 1886. In fact, as early as 100 years ago, there were steam engines that did not rely on people and animals.
As early as 1712, the British Thomas Newkomen invented the steam engine car that does not rely on human and animal power, known as the Newkomen steam engine. In 1774, Watt worked with Bolton to create the steam engine in its true sense. This has promoted the development of mechanical industry and laid the foundation for the development of internal combustion engine.
In 1794, the British Stuart first put forward the idea of mixing fuel and air to form a combustible mixture for combustion. In 1866, German engineer Nicholas Otto successfully developed the epoch-making four stroke internal combustion engine, and in 1876, the first practical piston type four stroke gas internal combustion engine was trial produced. This internal combustion engine is known as Otto internal combustion engine and is famous in the world and has obtained patents. This is the reason why we have always changed the four stroke cycle into Otto cycle.
In 1879, Karl Benz, a German engineer, successfully tested a two-stroke experimental engine for the first time. In 1883, Benz founded Benz company and Benz Rhine engine factory. In 1885, he built the first Benz patent engine car in Mannheim. This is a three wheeled vehicle with a two-stroke single cylinder 0.9hp gasoline engine. It has some features of modern vehicles, such as spark ignition, water cooling cycle, steel pipe frame, leaf spring suspension, rear wheel drive, front wheel steering and brake handle. However, the performance of the vehicle is not very perfect, the speed, loading capacity and climbing performance are not very satisfactory, and it often breaks down in the driving. However, because the car can walk on its own, people use the Greek word auto and Latin mobile to explain this type of car. This is the origin of the word automobile. Because the three wheeled car named by Benz is the earliest prototype in the world, it is collected in the Benz Automobile Museum in Germany.
Later, on January 29, 1886, Karl Benz applied to the German Patent Office for the patent of automobile invention, which was officially approved and issued by the patent office on November 2 of the same year. Therefore, January 29, 1886 is also recognized as the world automobile birth day.
One of the pioneersof the modern automobile industry was Gottlieb Daimler, a German engineer and inventor. In 1883, he cooperated with Wilhelm Maybach, a good friend and famous inventor, to develop a gasoline engine. In 1885, he installed the engine on a wooden two wheeled vehicle and invented the motorcycle. 1886. On his wife’s 43rd birthday, Daimler refitted a carriage. He removed the axle, fitted the chain and his own vertical single cylinder gasoline engine, and installed the steering gear. Thus, the world’s first four-wheel car was born.
In Mannheim, 100km away, Benz invented the three wheeled car. Because Benz and Daimler are generally recognized as the inventors of modern automobile powered by internal combustion engine. Their invention and creation have become the most important milestone in the history of automobile development. Therefore, they are honored as “the father of automobile”.
What a pleasant read! Ah, the Benz Patent-Motorwagon. Karl Benz and Bertha Benz were a formidable pair. They needed each other: he could handle most of the invention, and she was the marketing whiz!