Photo: Daimler AG
The evening of July 21, 2016, will forever be remembered by Mercedes-Benz historians as the time when Bertha Benz was finally inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame, approximately 32 years after her more famous husband received the same distinction.
For those that aren't that much into the history of Mercedes-Benz and the automobile in general, Bertha was the wife and at the same time business partner of Car Benz, the German engineer who practically invented the modern car, 130 years ago.
As it happens, she invested her entire inheritance from her parents so that Carl could pursue his dream of developing a horseless carriage powered by an internal combustion engine.
Not only that, but she also shared her husband's passion for vehicles. In August 1888, Bertha Benz and her two sons, became the world's first person to take a long-distance automotive road trip, as she drove her husband's invention for about 104 km (65 miles) between Mannheim and Pforzheim without Carl even knowing.
“As the role of a wife was in the late 1800s, she also had to take care of the family, raise five children, do all the housekeeping, cooking, etc. Thus, it was as twice as much she accomplished compared to a man. So if I may say so, it’s about time that Bertha Benz becomes inducted to the hall of fame – 32 years after Carl and 130 years after her achievements. For me personally it is of great satisfaction that my great grandmother is being honored now.” said Jutta Benz, great-granddaughter of Bertha and Carl Benz.
During the pioneering road trip in 1888, Bertha also transformed a pharmacy in the world's first gas station after she stopped to buy some cleaning fluid to use as fuel for the “Patent Motor Wagen” she was driving.
Thanks for her work in helping prove the viability of a horseless carriage powered by an internal combustion engine, Bertha Benz is one of the biggest contributors to the success of the modern automobile. Her induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame only secures her achievements and successes for future generations to learn about.
As it happens, she invested her entire inheritance from her parents so that Carl could pursue his dream of developing a horseless carriage powered by an internal combustion engine.
Not only that, but she also shared her husband's passion for vehicles. In August 1888, Bertha Benz and her two sons, became the world's first person to take a long-distance automotive road trip, as she drove her husband's invention for about 104 km (65 miles) between Mannheim and Pforzheim without Carl even knowing.
“As the role of a wife was in the late 1800s, she also had to take care of the family, raise five children, do all the housekeeping, cooking, etc. Thus, it was as twice as much she accomplished compared to a man. So if I may say so, it’s about time that Bertha Benz becomes inducted to the hall of fame – 32 years after Carl and 130 years after her achievements. For me personally it is of great satisfaction that my great grandmother is being honored now.” said Jutta Benz, great-granddaughter of Bertha and Carl Benz.
During the pioneering road trip in 1888, Bertha also transformed a pharmacy in the world's first gas station after she stopped to buy some cleaning fluid to use as fuel for the “Patent Motor Wagen” she was driving.
Thanks for her work in helping prove the viability of a horseless carriage powered by an internal combustion engine, Bertha Benz is one of the biggest contributors to the success of the modern automobile. Her induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame only secures her achievements and successes for future generations to learn about.
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