Carl Benz
German engineer who built the first practical petrol-powered automobile
- Lived
- 84 yrs
- 1844 – 1929
- Works listed
- 1
- Automobile
- Honours
- 1
- Most recent 1984
- Profile views
- 2
- 0 followers
Carl Benz was a German engine designer who built the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, patented in January 1886 and widely regarded as the first practical automobile powered by an internal-combustion engine. His company, Benz & Cie., later merged with Daimler to form Daimler-Benz, maker of Mercedes-Benz cars.
Biography
Early life
Benz’s father, a locomotive driver, died when Carl was two, and his mother worked hard to educate him. He studied mechanical engineering at the Karlsruhe Polytechnic.
The Motorwagen
After struggling with an iron-works business, he developed a reliable two-stroke engine and then a four-stroke engine. In 1885 he built a three-wheeled vehicle with an integrated engine, electric ignition and a differential. He received German patent 37435 on 29 January 1886.
Bertha Benz’s drive
In August 1888 his wife Bertha, without telling him, drove the Motorwagen with their two sons about 106 km from Mannheim to Pforzheim, the first long-distance car journey. It generated publicity and suggested improvements such as lower gears.
Benz & Cie. and legacy
Benz & Cie. became the world’s largest car maker by 1900. In 1926 it merged with Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft to form Daimler-Benz. Benz died in 1929.
Timeline
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1844
Born in Mühlburg, Karlsruhe, Germany
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1879
First two-stroke engine runs
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1883
Founds Benz & Cie.
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1885
Motorwagen built
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1886
Patent granted
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1888
Bertha Benz’s long-distance drive
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1926
Merger forms Daimler-Benz
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1929
Dies in Ladenburg
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1929
Died, aged 84
Notable works
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1886
Benz Patent-Motorwagen Automobile
Awards and honours
-
Automotive Hall of Fame
1984
Did you know?
-
1
Bertha bought fuel from a pharmacy in Wiesloch, often called the first filling station.
-
2
The Motorwagen had a top speed of about 16 km/h.
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3
Benz and Gottlieb Daimler never met, despite working nearby.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Carl Benz?
Carl Benz was a German engine designer who built the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, patented in January 1886 and widely regarded as the first practical automobile powered by an internal-combustion engine. His company, Benz & Cie., later merged with Daimler to form Daimler-Benz, maker of Mercedes-Benz cars.
When did Carl Benz die?
Carl Benz died on 4 April 1929 at the age of 84.
Where is Carl Benz from?
Carl Benz was born in Mühlburg, Karlsruhe, Germany.
What is Carl Benz known for?
Carl Benz is best known for Benz Patent-Motorwagen (1885–86); founding Benz & Cie., forerunner of Mercedes-Benz.
What awards has Carl Benz received?
Notable honours include Automotive Hall of Fame (1984).
References
- Carl Benz — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Carl Benz — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Carl Benz — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Carl Benz (Q40224) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Carl Benz”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 4 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Carl Benz.” TrackFame, last updated 5 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/karl-benz
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