Karl Benz The genius Behind the Invention of Automobiles

The next time you sit behind the wheels in the cosy confines of your car, just say a silent prayer for Karl Benz’s soul. Wait, what? Yes you read that right! It is the bare minimum that he deserves. If it were not for his efforts and his sheer genius, you would probably never have travelled in a car. Still not making sense? Meet Karl Friedrich Benz! The man behind the invention of the world’s first gasoline powered automobile.

Who was Karl Benz?

Karl Benz was a German inventor and an automobile engineer. Benz was one of the co-founders of the iconic Mercedes-Benz Company. He was the first person in the world to design an automobile that was solely powered by an internal combustion engine. The vehicle, named Motorwagen, was created in the year 1885 and Benz was granted a patent for the same in the following year. Motorwagen was also the first commercially available automobile in the history of mankind.

Benz also designed some of the most important components of what we now know as a modern vehicle, including the carburettor, spark plugs, gear, water radiator, ignition, accelerator and clutch.

What’s the story behind his success?

The genius inventor was always a bright student in school. After having briefly studied locksmithing, Benz was attracted to locomotive engineering and he eventually decided to study the subject and take it up as a profession. After completing his education, Benz worked jobs at various companies for 7 years to acquire formal training and experience.

The idea for an engine powered vehicle stemmed from his desire to create a ‘horseless carriage’. He quickly realised that the key to that would be a gasoline-powered, internal combustion engine and he soon set out to develop a functional and feasible model. Benz achieved success in this endeavour when he designed his first 2-stroke engine in 1878. In the following year, he obtained a patent for it and also for the components that formed the speed regulation system. This 2-stroke engine eventually become the production standard for all similar engines developed later.

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Benz then went on to develop a 4-stroke engine and created a tricycle design that could adapt to the engine. This was the culmination of his dream; the world’s first automobile, or as Benz would prefer saying, ‘the horseless carriage’!

How did he popularize his invention?

Despite the marvellous nature of his invention, Benz had a really tough time trying to popularize it; the reason being that people found no utility in this product and found it impractical. Another issue that threw a spanner in the works was the practical unavailability of gasoline. In those days, gasoline could only be bought at a pharmacy in limited quantities. Initial tests of the product were also not successful which only added to his problems.

This is where Benz’s wife Bertha decided to step in. she took the automobile for a 106 km trip from Mannheim to her mother’s house in Pforzheim. The trip was not an easy one by any stretch of imagination but she eventually completed it despite mechanical failures and the need to locate pharmacies at regular intervals. The successful completion of the trip was the deal clincher for Benz as the event generated tremendous hype and curiosity. Things gradually started falling in place and with the newfound public acceptance that brought commercial success, Benz finally achieved the victory and validation he long deserved!

Benz’s inventions and his contribution to automobile engineering and automobile designing are path-breaking and his story is an inspiration for all innovators!