16 Interesting Facts About Mercedes-Benz: Brand Name Could Have Been Adrienne!

mercedes benz facts

Mercedes brand vehicles are synonymous with the highest level of luxury, comfort, and reliability. It is one of the most important reasons why people praise German engineering almost everywhere in the world.

In the following, you will get an insight of interesting facts about Mercedes-Benz:

  • Co-founders’ Independent Success Stories.
  • The Tragic Austrian Girl Who Gave Her Name To The Car.
  • Ad Wars Between Mercedes And BMW.
  • The Giant Mercedes Silver Star Bridge.
  • Mercedes-themed Tombstones.
  • The First Gas Station In The World.
  • And Many More Interesting Facts About The Cult Brand.

1. The Benz Patent-Motorwagen (Mercedes) Is The First Car Of The World. (1885)

worlds-first-motor-car-patent-motorwagen


Karl Benz developed an oil motor tricycle carriage in 1885 and took out a patent at the imperial patent office in Berlin in 1886. The three-wheeled two-seater carriage on high wheels with spokes is by far the first petrol-powered car in the world.

This car, named Patent-Motorwagen, had at least four features common to nearly every vehicle on the roads today: a water-cooled engine, an electric ignition, a differential gear, and a mechanically-operated inlet valve.

Below is the short story of the first car and its creator, who was also the co-founder of Mercedes.




young-and-old-carl-friedrich-benz

Karl (Carl) Friedrich Benz, the inventor of first car of the world, was born in 1844 in Karlsruhe, Germany. His father, who died when he was only two years old, was a locomotive driver on state railways. Benz studied at Karlsruhe Polytechnic, which later turned into a university. After completing his education, he worked in engineering jobs. He designed iron bridges.
bertha-ringer-wife-of-carl-benz

At 28, he married Bertha Ringer (23), the daughter of a wealthy carpenter. This marriage changed not only the life of Karl but the whole world. We will tell you about this in detail shortly.

original-photo-of-worlds-first-car

The world’s first petrol-driven road vehicle cost 600 German marks in 1886, worth around $4,750 today in 2023. It had a top speed of 10 miles per hour. (16 km/h). Unfortunately, the original Benz Patent Motor no longer exists.

A local newspaper did publish the above picture in 1886.




ad-for-benz-patent-motor-car

By 1894, Benz and Cie. produced 25 units, with engine outputs ranging from 1.5 to 3 hp. It was the first automobile to be sold in small quantities. The above photo is the advertising poster for Benz Patent Motor Car.
worlds-first-car-1.5hp-2hp-engines

Benz later produced two more variants of the Motorwagen with higher engines: Model 2 had a 1.5 hp engine and Model 3 had a 3.0 hp engine. New models had fuel tanks and shoe brakes on the rear wheels.

The customers could also opt for an additional vis-a-vis bench or a folding top. Model 3 of 1888 (left) in the photo above is the oldest car in its original condition.




benz-and-co-plant-workers-1897

In 1986, the 100th anniversary, Daimler Benz sanctioned a limited number of faithful reproductions. The replica automobiles run and function the same as the original. (Benz plant workers, 1897)