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- Sales Brochure for the Patent Motor-Wagen "Benz," Benz & Company, 1899 - German engineer Karl Benz built his original Patent-Motorwagen in 1885, widely regarded as the first self-propelled vehicle designed around the internal combustion engine. Benz's design became the basis for the world's first production automobile in 1888. By the end of the 19th century, Benz's company was building more than 500 automobiles a year. Benz merged with Daimler Motors in 1926.
- October 01, 1899
- Collections - Artifact
Sales Brochure for the Patent Motor-Wagen "Benz," Benz & Company, 1899
German engineer Karl Benz built his original Patent-Motorwagen in 1885, widely regarded as the first self-propelled vehicle designed around the internal combustion engine. Benz's design became the basis for the world's first production automobile in 1888. By the end of the 19th century, Benz's company was building more than 500 automobiles a year. Benz merged with Daimler Motors in 1926.
- Henry Ford II with the 1885 Benz Scale Replica at Henry Ford Museum, April 1985 - Henry Ford II commemorated the centennial of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1985. Built in Germany by engineer Karl Benz in 1885, the Motorwagen generally is credited with being the first self-propelled vehicle designed around the internal combustion engine. The one-fifth scale model was given to Mr. Ford's grandfather, Henry Ford, on his 75th birthday in 1938.
- April 01, 1985
- Collections - Artifact
Henry Ford II with the 1885 Benz Scale Replica at Henry Ford Museum, April 1985
Henry Ford II commemorated the centennial of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1985. Built in Germany by engineer Karl Benz in 1885, the Motorwagen generally is credited with being the first self-propelled vehicle designed around the internal combustion engine. The one-fifth scale model was given to Mr. Ford's grandfather, Henry Ford, on his 75th birthday in 1938.
- Barney Oldfield Driving the "Blitzen Benz" Car on a Racetrack, 1910 - In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the "Blitzen Benz." This powerful, German-made machine was built for speed. In March, the existing world's land speed record fell as the race car -- then named "Lightning Benz" -- bolted down the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida, at over 131 miles per hour. With Oldfield behind the wheel, the vehicle broke numerous track records throughout the year.
- 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Barney Oldfield Driving the "Blitzen Benz" Car on a Racetrack, 1910
In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the "Blitzen Benz." This powerful, German-made machine was built for speed. In March, the existing world's land speed record fell as the race car -- then named "Lightning Benz" -- bolted down the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida, at over 131 miles per hour. With Oldfield behind the wheel, the vehicle broke numerous track records throughout the year.
- 1893 Benz Velocipede - Karl Benz exhibited his Velocipede at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. His automobile incorporated several impressive features for its time like a water-cooled engine, a carburetor, a gearbox, and a rear-axle differential. Benz manufactured more than 1,200 Velocipedes between 1894 and 1902, and many historians describe his "Velo" as the first production car.
- 1893
- Collections - Artifact
1893 Benz Velocipede
Karl Benz exhibited his Velocipede at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. His automobile incorporated several impressive features for its time like a water-cooled engine, a carburetor, a gearbox, and a rear-axle differential. Benz manufactured more than 1,200 Velocipedes between 1894 and 1902, and many historians describe his "Velo" as the first production car.
- Henry Ford II with the 1885 Benz Scale Replica at Henry Ford Museum, April 1985 - Henry Ford II commemorated the centennial of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1985. Built in Germany by engineer Karl Benz in 1885, the Motorwagen generally is credited with being the first self-propelled vehicle designed around the internal combustion engine. The one-fifth scale model was given to Mr. Ford's grandfather, Henry Ford, on his 75th birthday in 1938.
- April 01, 1985
- Collections - Artifact
Henry Ford II with the 1885 Benz Scale Replica at Henry Ford Museum, April 1985
Henry Ford II commemorated the centennial of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1985. Built in Germany by engineer Karl Benz in 1885, the Motorwagen generally is credited with being the first self-propelled vehicle designed around the internal combustion engine. The one-fifth scale model was given to Mr. Ford's grandfather, Henry Ford, on his 75th birthday in 1938.
- 1903 Benz Parsifal Touring Car - Karl Benz's Parsifal signaled the transition from the concept of a motorized carriage to a modern automobile. Unlike a motorized carriage, Benz positioned the engine in the front of the vehicle as opposed to under the seat. This allowed the car to be built closer to the ground, which provided better handling for drivers and easier accessibility.
- 1903
- Collections - Artifact
1903 Benz Parsifal Touring Car
Karl Benz's Parsifal signaled the transition from the concept of a motorized carriage to a modern automobile. Unlike a motorized carriage, Benz positioned the engine in the front of the vehicle as opposed to under the seat. This allowed the car to be built closer to the ground, which provided better handling for drivers and easier accessibility.
- Karl Benz and Family with Benz Automobiles, circa 1896 - Karl Benz, the inventor of the modern automobile (in light-colored suit, center), posed with family members in front of Benz automobiles for this circa 1896 photograph.
- circa 1896
- Collections - Artifact
Karl Benz and Family with Benz Automobiles, circa 1896
Karl Benz, the inventor of the modern automobile (in light-colored suit, center), posed with family members in front of Benz automobiles for this circa 1896 photograph.
- Schoolboys Following a Benz Automobile, circa 1901 - This photograph, taken about 1901, shows a group of inquisitive schoolboys attracted to a Benz automobile. Karl Benz of Germany developed the world's first practical gasoline-powered automobile in 1885.
- circa 1901
- Collections - Artifact
Schoolboys Following a Benz Automobile, circa 1901
This photograph, taken about 1901, shows a group of inquisitive schoolboys attracted to a Benz automobile. Karl Benz of Germany developed the world's first practical gasoline-powered automobile in 1885.
- Benz Race Car Driven by Billy Knipper at the 1911 Indianapolis 500 Race, Photograph Taken by Henry Ford - Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened in 1909 with multiple races each season. In 1911, track promoters decided instead to host just one spectacular event each Memorial Day. The inaugural Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, with $27,500 in prizes, drew 40 qualifying cars and 80,000 spectators. Ray Harroun won with the yellow #32 Marmon Wasp, and the Indianapolis 500 became an American institution.
- 1911
- Collections - Artifact
Benz Race Car Driven by Billy Knipper at the 1911 Indianapolis 500 Race, Photograph Taken by Henry Ford
Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened in 1909 with multiple races each season. In 1911, track promoters decided instead to host just one spectacular event each Memorial Day. The inaugural Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, with $27,500 in prizes, drew 40 qualifying cars and 80,000 spectators. Ray Harroun won with the yellow #32 Marmon Wasp, and the Indianapolis 500 became an American institution.
- Henry Ford II with the 1885 Benz Scale Replica at Henry Ford Museum, April 1985 - Henry Ford II commemorated the centennial of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1985. Built in Germany by engineer Karl Benz in 1885, the Motorwagen generally is credited with being the first self-propelled vehicle designed around the internal combustion engine. The one-fifth scale model was given to Mr. Ford's grandfather, Henry Ford, on his 75th birthday in 1938.
- April 01, 1985
- Collections - Artifact
Henry Ford II with the 1885 Benz Scale Replica at Henry Ford Museum, April 1985
Henry Ford II commemorated the centennial of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1985. Built in Germany by engineer Karl Benz in 1885, the Motorwagen generally is credited with being the first self-propelled vehicle designed around the internal combustion engine. The one-fifth scale model was given to Mr. Ford's grandfather, Henry Ford, on his 75th birthday in 1938.