MERCEDES-BENZ
A Brief History of Mercedes-Benz
The history of the Mercedes-Benz traces its origins back to over a century ago when Carl Benz unveiled the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is widely regarded as thefirst gasoline-powered automobile. Soon after, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft introduced the 1901 Mercedes and began marketing the brand to the public.
Since their inception, Mercedes-Benz has maintained a top spot among luxury automobiles. The company is renowned for their superior, one-of-a-kind craftsmanship. But, the world-class auto manufacturer has endured its fair share along the way.
As one of the most well-known leaders in the industry, Mercedes-Benz has created a brand that’s all its’ own.
Want to find out how Mercedes-Benz rose to become one of the most respected and reputable brands across the globe?
Read on to find out the history of the Mercedes-Benz!
History of the Mercedes Benz: The First Benz Was Patented in 1886
Prior to the dawning of the auto industry, Manheim engineer Carl Benz filed a patent which would be the beginning of the Mercedes legacy.
Carl’s patent, which he filed for his “gas-powered vehicle” serves as a testament to the innovative spirit behind Mercedes Benz. This spirit continues to characterize the brand today.
The 130-year-old patent document has been a part ofUNESCO’s Memory of the World Programmecollection since 2011. In addition to Benz’s patent, their impressive collection of world-renowned historical documents and artifacts includes the Gutenberg Bible, the Magna Carta and Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor.
A Historical Journey
Although the motor car invented by Carl Benz first became a reality in 1885, it wasn’t until July 3, 1886, that it would make its first public appearance on Ringstrasse in Mannheim.
Yet it wasn’t until 1888, when the improved Model III patent motor car debuted, that the automobile became considered suitable by the general public for daily use.
In 1888, Carl’s wife, Bertha Benz, along with her two sons, would embark on a historical journey that would prove to the world that the Mercedes-Benz was in fact, capable of enduring long-distances. Their trip began in Manheim, and took them all the way to Pforzheim, and then back again.
The Forging of the Brand
Carl Benz, however, cannot be held solely responsible for the luxury auto brand’s beginning. Also included in the history of the Mercedes-Benz was the 1901 Mercedes, manufactured by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG).
The first “Mercedes” was built from a series for an Austrian diplomat and racing enthusiast named Emil Jellinek.
Through his career, Jellinek was able to establish himself as a leader in DMG’s company.
It was Jellinek’s daughter, Mercedes, that inspired the well-known brand name.
In fact, Jellinek was so crazy about his daughter’s name that he changed his own name to Jellinek-Mercedes later in life.
When the two automobile-mavericks collided, Carl Benz’s company, “Benz and Cie”, and DMG’s now-famous namesake, Mercedes, melded together to form Mercedes-Benz.
How Mercedes-Benz Got Their Logo
The history of the Mercedes-Benz would not be complete without touching on the birth of its widely recognized logo.
The logo itself has changed here and there over the years. But, the influence of the founding fathers’ logo design is still intertwined with the logo design of modern-day.
There were two names that forged the Mercedes-Benz brand. And, there were two designs that forged theMercedes-Benz logo.
DMG had used a three-pointed star to define their automobile brand. The star was a sentimental symbol that the sons of Daimler had chosen. They recalled their father stating that the star shining over his home would one day shine over his car company, bringing it prosperity.
Meanwhile, Benz had decided on a wreath to represent the company “Benz and Cie”.
The wreath was a well-known European symbol, standing for power and victory.
Its’ significance dates back to Greek athletes. The wreath was an award during historic competitions. Europeans continue to recognize the wreath as a powerful symbol today.
The laurel wreath surrounding the three-pointed star was the first logo of Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Continues its Legacy
In recent years, fans saw yet another example of Mercedes-Benz’s trademark excellence.
In 2012, the company released its A-Class. The A-Class was one of the first reasonably-priced luxury model cars of its’ kind. Other luxury automobilesfollowed suit, and as a result, sales shot up.
Mercedes-Benz has once againraised the barby releasing its follow-up to the A-Class in April 2018. Immediately, the newest model Mercedes-Benz had critics raving. They loved its high-performance and sleek design.
What Does the Future Hold for Mercedes-Benz?
Driving has always been the passion behind Mercedes-Benz. But, today, the company is relying on four central concepts that they believe will shape the future of automobiles.
The company labels the four concepts as “CASE”, which stands for Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Services, and Electric. And, they are using the CASE principlesto direct them towards the future.
So, what’s this look like?
Well, for Mercedes-Benz, the sky’s the limit.
Here are just a few of the things that they have planned for the future:
They plan to unleash ten battery-powered cars by 2022, including a diverse range of everything from agile smart cars to roaming SUVs
They are using the latest technology to afford drivers more freedoms and offer them benefits like remote parking and assisted lane-changing
They plan to incorporate flexible ownership options to make driving more affordable and eco-friendly, such as their Car2Go rental program
One thing is for sure. You can count on them to remain a leader in innovation and transportation as we move into the years ahead, just as the history of the Mercedes-Benz indicates.
Mercedes-Benz Gives More Than Just Luxury Automobiles
The automobile-brand great is known for more than the production of fine cars. They also receive praise for the good they bring into the community.
Mercedes-Benz contributes to several respectable causes. This includes scholarships, Veterans, underserved youth, programs for children with disabilities, and more.
When you ride in a Mercedes-Benz luxury vehicle, you can feel good about your investment. It’s helping the companygive backto others.
Come See What’s New With Mercedes-Benz!
The brand that began over a century ago has stood the test of time. And, over the years, the history of the Mercedes-Benz has only gotten better.
Come see for yourself what’s new with Mercedes-Benz. We offer a full collection of luxury automobile rentals. So you can drive off the lot in style, without breaking the bank.
Reserve your dream car online today!
