Bertha Benz

By
Allan Spinal
114
2018

Bertha Benz

Bertha Benz (About this soundpronunciation (help·info), née Ringer; 3 May 1849 – 5 May 1944) was a German automotive pioneer. She was the business partner and wife of automobile inventor Karl Benz. On 5 August 1888, she was the first person to drive an automobile over a long distance, rigorously field testing the patent Motorwagen, inventing brake pads and solving several practical issues during the 65 miles (105 km) trip.[1] In doing so, she brought the Benz Patent-Motorwagen worldwide attention and got the company its first sales.

Biography[edit]

Early life and marriage[edit]

Bertha Benz at age 18, circa 1867

Bertha Ringer was born in 1849 to a wealthy family in Pforzheim in the Grand Duchy of Baden.[citation needed]

Two years before her marriage to Karl Benz, she used part of her dowry to invest in his failing iron construction company.[2] As an unmarried woman, she was able to do so; after she married Benz, according to German law, Bertha lost her legal power to act as an investor.[3] On 20 July 1872, Bertha Ringer married Karl Benz. As he moved on to a new manufacturing venture, Benz & Cie, he continued to use her dowry as financial support.

Karl finished work on his first horseless carriage in December 1885. Bertha served as a field tester, contributing to the design of the Motorwagen by adding wire insulation and inventing leather brake pads to supplement the wooden brakes when they failed. Moreover, she identified several key areas of opportunities – such as the fuel line design – that Karl later improved. In addition to her contributions to the machine’s design, Bertha helped finance the development of the Motorwagen. She would hold patent rights under modern law, but as a married woman, she was not allowed to be named as an inventor on the patent at that time.[4]

Together they had five children: Eugen (1873–1958), Richard (1874–1955), Clara (1877–1968), Thilde (1882–1974), and Ellen (1890–1973).[citation needed]

The Patent Motor Car[edit]

The Benz Patent-Motorwagen Number 3 of 1886, used by Bertha Benz for the highly publicized first long distance road trip, 106 km (66 mi), by automobile

In 1886, Benz presented the Patent-Motorwagen automobile to the world. Within the decade, 25 vehicles had been built. With cutting-edge bicycle constructions, the Model I was the original Patent Motor Car and the world’s first automobile.[5][6]

The Model II was converted to a four-wheeler for test purposes, making it the only one of this model.[citation needed]

The first Patent Motor Car sold in small production runs was the Model III. It had powered rear wheels with a ringed steel and solid rubber, steerable front wheel. Various options from which to choose were provided for customers, such as seat arrangements and a folding top.[7]

First cross-country automobile journey[edit]

Last home of Karl and Bertha Benz, now the location of the Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz Foundation in Ladenburg, Baden-Württemberg

On 5 August 1888, 39-year-old Bertha Benz drove from Mannheim to Pforzheim with her sons Richard and Eugen, thirteen and fifteen years old respectively, in a Model III, without telling her husband and without permission of the authorities, thus becoming the first person to drive an automobile a significant distance,[1] though illegally. Before this historic trip, motorized drives were merely very short trials, returning to the point of origin, made with assistance of mechanics. Following wagon tracks, this pioneering tour covered a one-way distance of about 106 km (66 mi).[8][9]

Although the ostensible purpose of the trip was to visit her mother, Bertha Benz had other motives — to prove to her husband, who had failed to adequately consider marketing his invention, that the automobile in which they both had heavily invested would become a financial success once it was shown to be useful to the general public; and to give her husband the confidence that his constructions had a future.[10]

She left Mannheim around dawn, solving numerous problems along the way.[11] Bertha demonstrated her significant technical capabilities on this journey.[12] With no fuel tank and only a 4.5-litre supply of petrol in the carburetor, she had to find ligroin, the petroleum solvent needed for the car to run. It was only available at apothecary shops, so she stopped in Wiesloch at the city pharmacy to purchase the fuel.[7] At the time, petrol and other fuels could only be bought from chemists, and so this is how the chemist in Wiesloch became the first fuel station in the world.[12]

She cleaned a blocked fuel line with her hat pin and used her garter as insulation material.[12][13] A blacksmith had to help mend a chain at one point. When the wooden brakes began to fail, Benz visited a cobbler to install leather, making the world’s first pair of brake pads.[2] An evaporative cooling system was employed to cool the engine, making water supply a big worry along the trip.[14] The trio added water to their supply every time they stopped.[7] The car’s two gears were not enough to surmount uphill inclines and Eugen and Richard often had to push the vehicle up steep roads.[7] Benz reached Pforzheim somewhat after dusk, notifying her husband of her successful journey by telegram. She drove back to Mannheim several days later.

Karl and Bertha Benz 1925 — Zenodot Verlagsges. mbH

The novel trip received a great deal of publicity, as she had sought. The drive was a key event in the technical development of the automobile. The pioneering couple introduced several improvements after Bertha’s experiences. She reported everything that had happened along the way and made important suggestions, such as the introduction of an additional gear for climbing hills and brake linings to improve brake-power. Her trip proved to the burgeoning automotive industry that test drives were essential to their business.[2][7]

Later life[edit]

Benz died in her villa in Ladenburg, where the workshop of Karl Benz had been built after they had moved there in 1906 and he established a solely family-held business, Benz and Sons. In 1925 Karl Benz wrote the following in his memoirs: “Only one person remained with me in the small ship of life when it seemed destined to sink. That was my wife. Bravely and resolutely she set the new sails of hope.” [15]

Honours[edit]

Official signpost of Bertha Benz Memorial Route

Bertha Benz monument in Wiesloch where she made a stop to take in fuel at the city pharmacy, which is now dubbed “the first filling station in the world”

Map of Germany with the Bertha Benz Memorial Route, from Mannheim via Heidelberg and Wiesloch to Pforzheim and back – official heritage path commemorating her journey of 1888

In 2008, the Bertha Benz Memorial Route[16] was officially approved as a route of the industrial heritage of mankind, because it follows Bertha Benz’s path during the world’s first long-distance journey by automobile in 1888. Now it is possible to follow the 194 km of signs indicating her route from Mannheim via Heidelberg to Pforzheim (Black Forest) and back.

https://www.eugine360.com/vue-cinemas-hoping-for-mid-july-reopening/

The Bertha Benz Challenge, embedded in the framework of the ceremony of Automobile Summer 2011, the big official German event and birthday party commemorating the invention of the automobile by Karl Benz over 132 years ago, took place on Bertha Benz Memorial Route on 10 and 11 September 2011. It was a globally visible signal for new automobile breakthroughs, and was only open for sustainable mobility — future-oriented vehicles with alternative drive systems, i.e., hybrid and electric, hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles, and other extremely economical vehicles. The motto is Bertha Benz Challenge – Sustainable Mobility on the World’s Oldest Automobile Road!.[17][18]

On 25 January 2011 Deutsche Welle (DW-TV) broadcast worldwide in its series, Made in Germany, a TV documentary on the invention of the automobile by Karl Benz, highlighting the very important role of his wife, Bertha Benz. The report is not only on the history of the automobile, but takes a look at its future as well, shown by the Bertha Benz Challenge on 10 and 11 September 2011.[17]

The documentary The Car is Born, produced by Ulli Kampelmann, centered on the first road trip by Bertha Benz.[19]

In 2011, a television movie about the life of Karl and Bertha Benz was made, titled Karl & Bertha, which premiered on 11 May[20] and was aired by Das Erste on 23 May.[21][22] A trailer of the movie[23] and a “making of” special were released on YouTube.[24]

In honor of International Women’s Day in 2019, the modern Daimler company commissioned a four-minute advertisement dramatizing portions of Bertha Benz’ 1888 journey. The ad was created by Berlin-based ad agency Antoni (the lead European agency for Mercedes-Benz), and directed by Sebastian Strasser via his production company, Anorak Film.[25][26]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Jump up to:a b Robertson, Patrick (2011), Robertson’s Book of Firsts: Who Did What for the First Time, Bloomsbury Publishing USA, p. 91, ISBN 9781608197385, retrieved 28 May2015
  2. ^ Jump up to:a b c “Bertha Benz Hits the Road, 125 Years Ago – History in the Headlines”. HISTORY.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.

 

  2. ^ Angela Elis. “Bertha Benz: die erste Frau am Steuer” [Bertha Benz: the first woman at the wheel]. Cicero. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  3. ^ “Frauen in der Geschichte des Rechts — Von der Frühen Neuzeit bis zum Gegenwart”, Ute Gerhard e.a., Beck’se Verlagsbuchhandlung, München 1997, ISBN 3-406-42866-5, Pag 464
  4. ^ “Der Streit um den “Geburtstag” des modernen Automobils” [The dispute over the “birthday” of the modern automobile] (in German). German Patent and Trade Mark Office. 22 December 2014. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  5. ^ “The Benz Patent Motor Car from 1888 – The world’s oldest original car”. Daimler. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  6. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e “August 1888: Bertha Benz takes world’s first long-distance trip in an automobile | Daimler Global Media Site > Classic > Mercedes-Benz Cars > Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars > Benz until 1926”. media.daimler.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  7. ^ stefanhock. “Motorradtour Mannheim – Bertha Benz Memorial Route Hinfahrt – GPSies”. GPSies.com.
  8. ^ Tweney, Dylan (12 August 2010). “Aug. 12, 1888: Road Trip! Berta Takes the Benz”. WIRED. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  9. ^ “Bertha Benz – Die Starke”. Mercedes-Benz. Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  10. ^ stefanhock. “Motorradtour Pforzheim – Bertha Benz Memorial Route Rückfahrt – GPSies”. GPSies.com.
  11. ^ Jump up to:a b c e.V., Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus. “The Bertha Benz Memorial Route”. www.germany.travel. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  12. ^ Lienhard, John H. “Bertha Benz’s Ride”. Engines of Our Ingenuity. John H. Lienhard. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  13. ^ https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/classic/history/benz-patent-motor-car/
  14. ^ Benz, Carl Friedrich (c. 1925). Lebensfahrt eines deutschen erfinders; erinnerungen eines achtzigjahrigen [The life of a German inventor; memories of an octogenarian] (in German). Leipzig: Koehler & Amelang.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ Bertha Benz Memorial Route (German-government-approved non-profit official site)
  16. ^ Jump up to:a b The history of the Automobile includes the Bertha Benz Challenge, watch minutes 01:40 to 05:42 of the complete report (26:22 minutes). Archived 2 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ “Aktuell – Bertha-Benz-Challenge Offen nur für Elektroautos und zukunftsgerechte Fahrzeuge”. www.bertha-benz-challenge.de. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  18. ^ Carl & Bertha Benz – The Car is Born – Trailer on YouTube[dead link]
  19. ^ Genialer Tüftler und bedingungslose Unterstützerin, SWR
  20. ^ “Carl & Bertha (TV Movie 2011)”. IMDb. 25 May 2011.
  21. ^ ARD-Themenwoche “Der mobile Mensch” Karl & Bertha (English: “The mobile man” Karl & Bertha), ARD
  22. ^ (in German) Carl & Bertha – Eine Liebe für das Automobil – SWR – DAS ERSTEon YouTube (English: Carl & Bertha – a love of the automobile)
  23. ^ Making of ‘Carl & Bertha’ (Film) on YouTube
  24. ^ Jardine, Alexandra (7 March 2019). “Mercedes recreates the historic journey of Bertha Benz in International Women’s Day ad”. adage.com. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  25. ^ Rechtsteiner, Katja (7 March 2019). “Mercedes-Benz presents inspiring film at International Women’s Day: Bertha Benz: the journey that changed everything”. media.daimler.com. Retrieved 29 October 2019.

Bibliography[edit]

https://en.wikipedia.org

  • Angela Elis (2010), Mein Traum ist länger als die Nacht. Wie Bertha Benz ihren Mann zu Weltruhm fuhr [My dream is longer than the night. How Bertha Benz drove her husband to world fame.] (in German), Hamburg: Hoffmann und Campe, ISBN 978-3-455-50146-9

Bertha Benz

 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

114 COMMENTS

  2. Simply wish to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your submit is just great and i can assume you are knowledgeable in this subject. Fine along with your permission let me to clutch your RSS feed to stay up to date with coming near near post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please carry on the rewarding work.|

  8. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!|

  10. I was suggested this web site by way of my cousin. I’m no longer positive whether or not this submit is written by way of him as no one else recognize such targeted approximately my problem. You are incredible! Thanks!|

  11. Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and everything. But think about if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this blog could undeniably be one of the most beneficial in its niche. Superb blog!|

  15. Your style is very unique in comparison to other people I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this web site.|

  18. Hi, Neat post. There is a problem together with your site in web explorer, might test this? IE nonetheless is the market leader and a good part of other folks will pass over your wonderful writing due to this problem.|

  22. I will right away grasp your rss feed as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly permit me recognize so that I may subscribe. Thanks.|

  23. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say excellent blog!|

  24. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your site. You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Many thanks!|

  29. I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts on this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i’m glad to show that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I most indubitably will make certain to don?t fail to remember this website and give it a look on a relentless basis.|

  31. May I simply say what a relief to find an individual who really knows what they are discussing on the net. You certainly understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people should look at this and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular since you definitely have the gift.|

  32. Hey would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  33. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.|

  34. I believe what you published was actually very reasonable. But, think on this, what if you added a little content? I am not suggesting your content isn’t solid., however what if you added a title that makes people desire more? I mean BLOG_TITLE is a little vanilla. You could look at Yahoo’s home page and watch how they create post titles to grab viewers to click. You might add a video or a related picture or two to get readers interested about what you’ve written. In my opinion, it would bring your posts a little livelier.|

  35. Hi just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same outcome.|

  36. I think this is one of the most important information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The website style is ideal, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers|

  37. Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any helpful hints for inexperienced blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.|

  38. Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a hard time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!|

  39. Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept|

  45. I’m not sure exactly why but this web site is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.|

  47. After looking at a few of the blog posts on your website, I truly appreciate your technique of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my web site too and let me know your opinion.|

  50. Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks|

  51. I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  56. Reward yourself with these rings without being guilty. A piece that you can bring anywhere. Get an extra 10 discount, use code FIRST10OFF on the checkout page.

  58. We stumbled over here coming from a different web address and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking over your web page yet again.|

  59. Howdy! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any points or suggestions? Appreciate it|

  66. of course like your website but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I will certainly come again again.|

  67. Good day! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after browsing through some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly pleased I came across it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!|

  68. What i do not realize is actually how you are no longer actually much more neatly-liked than you may be right now. You’re very intelligent. You understand thus significantly on the subject of this matter, made me in my view believe it from so many varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated until it’s something to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs great. At all times handle it up!|

  71. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.|

  77. I donít even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!

  80. Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!|

  82. I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your information. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.|

  84. Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.|

  85. This design is incredible! You certainly know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!|

  86. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100 certain. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks|

  87. wonderful post, very informative. I’m wondering why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing. I am confident, you have a great readers’ base already!|

  88. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100 positive. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Kudos|

  89. I think this is among the most important information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The website style is great, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers|

  90. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful information specifically the last phase 🙂 I take care of such information much. I was seeking this particular information for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck. |

  95. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.|

  96. Hello there, I discovered your web site via Google at the same time as searching for a similar matter, your web site got here up, it appears to be like good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  97. Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any recommendations?|

  98. Whats up this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!|

  100. Hey there are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you require any coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!|

  103. Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break. I love the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, excellent site!|

  104. Hi, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, excellent blog!|

  105. Excellent website you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics talked about here? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get feedback from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Bless you!|

  107. Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem together with your website in web explorer, could test this? IE still is the marketplace leader and a good part of other people will omit your magnificent writing because of this problem.|

  108. Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I would like to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and precise effort to make a very good article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and not at all seem to get one thing done.

  109. You are so cool! I don’t think I’ve truly read a single thing like that before. So good to discover somebody with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!|

  111. My coder is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a variety of websites for about a year and am concerned about switching to another platform. I have heard very good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!|

  112. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?

  113. Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.|

  114. What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & aid other users like its aided me. Great job.|

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here