Many observers argue that the first true automobile was gasoline-powered. They point to not one but two inventors: Karl Friedrich Benz and Gottlieb Daimler. The two men, who had never met previously, filed their patents on the same day—January 29, 1886—in two different German cities. Benz’s three-wheeled vehicle, which he first drove in 1885, was the first to combine an internal combustion engine with an integrated chassis. There were no gas stations then so drivers purchased fuel, Ligroin, from pharmacies. Ligroin was intended as a stain remover but served as the first gasoline. In August, 1888, without her husband’s knowledge, Bertha Benz took her sons, Eugen and Richard, on the first cross country car ride from Mannheim to Pforzheim – taking 12 hours over a distance of 106 kilometers (64 miles). LINK Bertha Benz and her sons Eugen and Richard during their long-distance journey in August 1888 with the Benz Patent Motor Car. Mercedes Benz has released a short commercial commemorating that history making ride: see link below, recommend using full screen, sound on.
Analyzing the facts stated above the first cross country trip by auto was at 5.6 miles per hour. Most people can ride a bike at 8-10 mph without breaking a sweat. You’ve come a long way baby. Of course we can’t say what kind of trail this ride was made on. Most likely it was a horse cart two track with varying surfaces like gravel, sand, mud, etc. Very likely it was a very bumpy ride.
Filed under: Education, Science, Technology, Uncategorized | Tagged: Benz, Daimler, First Car, Gasoline, Ligroin | 2 Comments »
