In the story of the birth of the automobile, people always mention Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler, but often overlook a woman who truly moved the car from 'invention' to 'reality' – Bertha Benz. 140 years ago, with a daring 106-kilometer journey, she made the world truly believe for the first time: not only could the car run, but it could also change lives. Her courage and wisdom remain an irreplaceable chapter in automotive history.
On January 29, 1886, Carl Benz applied for a patent at the German Imperial Patent Office for an invention that would forever change the history of transportation: the Benz Patent Motor Car. With this patent, Benz laid the foundation for the modern automotive industry and marked the beginning of an era that continues to this day. 140 years later, we look back at the moment of the car's birth – a small instant that changed the way humanity moves.
(Image: Jutta Benz, great-granddaughter of Dr. Carl Benz)
However, while the Benz Patent Motor Car is hailed as a technical masterpiece and the starting point of automotive history, we want to focus on another figure who is often overlooked: Bertha Benz. She was the first person to undertake a long-distance journey in this vehicle, and the first woman to complete a long-distance drive in automotive history.
This Patent Motor Car, developed by Carl Benz in 1886, is considered the world's first automobile. It was equipped with a single-cylinder four-stroke engine. The three-wheeled vehicle had a top speed of approximately 16 km/h, with an engine displacement of 0.95 liters and power output of 0.75 horsepower.
The First Long-Distance Trip in Automotive History
Bertha Benz was not only Carl Benz's partner but also a crucial co-creator of the automobile. She was as technically interested and skilled as her husband. Furthermore, she managed the family's finances and was concerned about the sales figures of the first purchasable Benz Patent Motor Car, Model No. 3. As sales were not ideal, Bertha had an idea – she wanted to undertake a long-distance drive.
On August 5, 1888, she set off with her sons Eugen and Richard, without her husband's knowledge. Their destination: her parents' house in Pforzheim. The distance was 106 kilometers. The aim of this trip was to prove that this new type of vehicle was indeed a practical means of transport. At that time, there were no paved roads. The Patent Motor Car, advancing at about 16 km/h, wobbled considerably on its three wheels.
Contemporaneously with Carl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach were also developing a motorized vehicle. A few months after Benz, they introduced their motorized carriage – the first four-wheeled vehicle with an engine. Unlike Benz's completely new design, Daimler's motorized carriage looked more like a modified carriage with an engine installed. It also used a single-cylinder engine, but with a displacement of 0.462 liters and power output of about 1.1 horsepower.
The Automobile Turns 140 This Year
Additionally, the vehicle needed refueling along the way. Therefore, the three stopped in Wiesloch. Because, in 1888, fuel wasn't sold at gas stations, but at pharmacies. The Patent Motor Car used so-called "ligroin" (light petroleum), a mixture of light hydrocarbons obtained from distilling petroleum. In the 19th century, people used it for cleaning clothes or disinfecting wounds. This pharmacy still exists today and is considered the world's first filling station.
This wasn't the only challenge during the over twelve-hour journey. Technical problems also arose midway, such as a clogged carburetor, which Bertha cleared using her hat pin. Some sources also report that she improved the brakes during the trip. After arriving in Pforzheim, she sent a telegram to her husband. He later admitted: "She was braver than me and completed a journey that was crucial for the further development of the Patent Motor Car."
This journey became the key breakthrough that pushed the automobile towards public acceptance. The news spread quickly among the public. Bertha's bold act proved that the automobile was more than just a technical experiment; it was a practical means of transport truly capable of handling long-distance traffic. Due to growing media attention and public interest in her journey, the company soon received the first orders for the Patent Motor Car. Today, Bertha Benz is rightfully regarded as one of the most important pioneers in automotive history. Her ingenuity and courage paved the way for the modern automotive industry.
Bertha Benz's journey from Mannheim to Pforzheim was a true turning point in automotive history. This step showed the world that the Patent Motor Car was not just a novelty experiment, but a means of transportation suitable for everyday use. The trip caused a huge media sensation and helped make the automobile known and trusted by the public. Consequently, people dared to buy this seemingly strange machine.
Today, Bertha Benz is considered the most important female pioneer in automotive history. Let's not forget, she wasn't just the first person to complete this long-distance trip; she was also the first woman to do so.
