A Laundry List Of Famous Germans

I think it’s pretty apparent at this point that German engineering is on top of its game. There are names that have been synonymous with it for decades, like Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

So, I started to think how many other famous (or not so famous) German folks have changed the world of engineering, science, art, music, sports, and politics.

Just so you know, Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler, and Ferdinand Porsche have made the list. What would be the point in mentioning two of the best automobile companies in the world if they didn’t?

It wouldn’t be fair to leave out Rudolf Diesel. Name sound familiar? Sure it does — he’s the inventor of the diesel engine.

For any of you out there who do accounting work, thank a German. Johannes Gutenberg (1398-1468) to be exact, he’s the father of modern accounting.

Like your jeans? That would be Levi Strauss. Your coveted ADIDAS sneakers were the brain child of Adi Dassler, another German. Brand names are great; and German natives Hugo Boss (my favorite, born in Metzingen) and Karl Lagerfeld (born in Hamburg) deserve to be mentioned.

Designer clothes deserve to be worn and German supermodel beauties Heidi Klum (born in Bergisch Gladbach) and Claudia Schiffer (born in Rheinberg) know all about it.

Ever seen the space shuttle lift off? That’s all the hard work of rocket scientist Wernher von Braun. But long before there was space exploration ordinary men went to the skies in regular old airplanes; men like Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen of World War I fame.

Who else came from Germany? A long list of composers, that’s for sure! You’ve heard of Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, I’m sure. Then you’ve got Richard Wagner, Strauss, and Händel.

Traveling around Germany on the German Fairy Tale Road, then you’ve heard of the Brothers Grimm. I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller, right?

I’m sure I’ve missed just about a bazillion other famous Germans. But, maybe the next time you see a Benz or a Porsche — you’ll think about the three great inventors behind the engines.