125th Anniversary Of The Benz Patent Motor Car

In 1886 in Berlin, Carl Benz filed his patent for what he called “a vehicle with a gas engine drive.” This was the famous Benz Patent Motor Car, its birth a boon to the wheeled world. Now, 125 years later, it seems only appropriate to celebrate this event with banners flying and arms waving.

Independently of each other, two of the founding fathers of Daimler AG were developing motor cars during the same time period — Carl Benz, the three-wheeled Benz Patent Motor Car and Gottlieb Daimler, the first four-wheeled vehicle. Right here was the foundation of all our present-day vehicles, trucks and buses.

Mercedes-Benz went on to develop and manufacture diverse and enduring motor cars for the world to enjoy in comfort and safety. Models have continued to evolve through the years, bringing design to a new level.

After these long 125 years, it is a time to commemorate this one particular vehicle’s special birthday. To celebrate, festivities are occurring around the world in many forms.

In the Mecedes-Benz World in Stuttgart is a large event that will take place at the end of this January, 2011 with political, economic and society icons, including Dr. Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Those who have devoted their time and energies to working within the company will have the opportunity to be part of any of multiple events. At all Daimler locations throughout the world, employees will enjoy celebrations, raffles and prizes.

The opening events will begin on 29 January 2011.

At the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart, attendees will enjoy an international football match, pitting the German team against Brazil. Mercedes-Benz will act as sponsor and be offering multi-media performances as well as fascinating vehicle exhibitions, including glimpses of the future of automobiles.

The match will be held on August 10, 2011 in the converted Mercedes-Benz Arena.

At the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, more than 160 exhibits by over 80 international and well known artists will be on display, including both modern and contemporary art and, of course, paintings featuring cars.

The exhibition will be held from May to September 2011. Here’s more about the Mercedes-Benz Museum Stuttgart.

A Bavarian tourism company has also teamed up with numerous car makers to offer a premium tour opportunity behind the wheel of a fabulous car, staying in top hotels and taking driving tours through forests and countrysides. It’s called the “8-day Premium Cars of Southern Germany Tour.”

The head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, who is also chairman of the board of Daimler AG, says (and I agree) that Daimler and Benz have changed the world for the better and will continue to do so, with new brands, green technology and many business opportunities.

Anyone can join in these celebrations taking place in Germany, and offer their enthusiastic approval of such pioneering technologies that shaped our world.

—Marcus