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Oststadt in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany — Central Europe
 

The First Automobile
⎯⎯⎯
Das Erste Automobil

 
 
The First Automobile / Das Erste Automobil Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, December 17, 2024
1. The First Automobile / Das Erste Automobil Marker
Inscription.
The First Automobile
The mechanical engineer and engineer Karl Benz (1844-1929) settled in Mannheim in 1871 and set up a mechanical workshop in T 6, 11 (today T 6, 33). Here he founded the company Benz Et Co. in 1883 and built a three-wheeled motor vehicle in 1885, which was patented in 1886: The birth of the automobile has arrived and Mannheim is becoming a pioneering city of mobility and motorization. In 1888, Karl's courageous wife Bertha (1849-1944), whose dowry saved her husband from ruin in the early years, made her first long-distance trip to her hometown of Pforzheim in the patent motor car. In 1886-87, Benz moved into new production facilities with his engine factory in the Neckarstadt district. In 1899 the company was converted into a stock corporation and for a short time around 1900 it was the largest automobile producer in the world. In 1908, a new factory was inaugurated on Luzenberg in Mannheim-Waldhof, and the factory in Neckarstadt was sold in 1922. Over the years, cars, engines, trucks, buses and tractors have been manufactured at the Mannheim plant - under the Mercedes-Benz brand since the merger in 1926. In the anniversary year In 2008 the activities include the areas of foundry, engine production and bus production.

This plaque was donated by: Mercedes-Benz Mannheim plant.
A plant
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Das Erste Automobil
Der Maschinenbauer und Ingenieur Karl Benz (1844-1929) lässt sich 1871 in Mannheim nieder und richtet eine Mechanische Werkstätte in T 6, 11 (heute T 6, 33) ein. Hier gründet er 1883 die Firma Benz Et Co. und baut 1885 einen dreirädrigen Motor-wagen, der 1886 patentiert wird: Die Geburtsstunde des Automobils hat geschlagen, Mannheim wird zur Pionierstadt der Mobilität und Motori-sierung. 1888 unternimmt Karls couragierte Frau Bertha (1849-1944), deren Mitgift ihren Mann in den Anfangsjahren vor dem Ruin rettet, mit dem Patent-Motorwagen eine erste Langstreckenfahrt in ihre Geburtsstadt Pforzheim. 1886/87 bezieht Benz mit seiner Motorenfabrik neue Fabrikationsanlagen im Stadtteil Neckarstadt. 1899 wird das Unternehmen in eine Aktiengesellschaft umgewandelt und ist um 1900 für kurze Zeit der größte Automo-bilproduzent der Welt. 1908 wird ein neues Werk auf dem Luzenberg in Mannheim-Waldhof eingeweiht, die Fabrik in der Neckarstadt wird 1922 verkauft. Über die Jahre werden im Werk Mannheim Pkw, Motoren, Lkw, Busse und Traktoren hergestellt - seit dem Fusionsjahr 1926 unter der Marke Mercedes-Benz. Im Jubiläumsjahr 2008 umfassen die Aktivitäten die Bereiche Gießerei, Motorenproduktion und Omnibusfertigung.

Diese Tafel wurde gestiftet von: Mercedes-Benz Werk Mannheim.
Ein Werk der Daimler AG.

[Photo
The First Automobile / Das Erste Automobil Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, December 17, 2024
2. The First Automobile / Das Erste Automobil Marker
and Illustration Captions:
]
Patent specification No. 37435 dated January 29, 1886 is considered "Birth certificate" of the automobile.
Die Patentschrift Nr. 37435 vom 29. Januar 1886 gilt als „Geburtsurkunde" des Automobils.

The world's first automobile: Benz Patent-Motorwagen in series production, built from 1888 to 1893; at the wheel Karl Benz.
Das erste Automobil der Welt: Benz Patent-Motorwagen in der Serienausführung, gebaut von 1888 bis 1893; am Steuer Karl Benz.

Employees of the Benz & Co. company, car manufacturing department, 1897; On the left in the picture a Benz Victoria, on the right a Benz "Velo.”
Belegschaft der Firma Benz & Co., Abteilung Schlosserei Wagenbau, 1897; links im Bild ein Benz Victoria, rechts ein Benz „Velo.”

Sunday excursion of the Benz family to Weinheim. In the Benz Motor-Velocipede, "Velo" for short (right), the daughters Ellen and Thilde, at the wheel of the Benz Phaeton (left) son Richard. In the back seat Bertha Benz with her mother Auguste Ringer. The Benz "Velo" from 1894 was With around 1,200 units built, it was the first mass-produced automobile in the world.
Sonntagsausflug der Fomilie Benz nach Weinheim. Im Benz Motor-Velociped, kurz „Velo" (rechts), die Töchter Ellen und Thilde, am Steuer des Benz Phaeton (links) Sohn Richard. Auf der Rückbank
The First Automobile / Das Erste Automobil Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, December 17, 2024
3. The First Automobile / Das Erste Automobil Marker
Bertha Benz mit ihrer Mutter Auguste Ringer. Das Benz „Velo" von 1894 wurde mit rund 1200 gebauten Exemplaren das erste Großserienautomobil der Welt.

 
Erected by Mecedes-Benz Mannheim Plant.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & CommerceRoads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
 
Location. 49° 28.983′ N, 8° 28.69′ E. Marker is in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg. It is in Oststadt. It is at the intersection of Augustaanlage and Friedricksplatz, in the median on Augustaanlage. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mannheim BW 68165, Germany. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rosengarten / Rose Garden (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Mannheimer Wasserturm / Mannheim Water Tower (about 210 meters away); Oststadt, Christuskirche / East Town, Christ Church (about 210 meters away); Friedrichsplatz (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Wasserturm / Water Tower (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Höhere Bürgerschule N6, 4a / Higher Citizens School N6, 4a (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Rheinische Ingenieurschule / Rhineland Engineering School (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Strohmarkt und Planken / Straw Market and Planks (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mannheim.
 
Also see . . .
An Associated Monument With 1st Automobile Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, December 17, 2024
4. An Associated Monument With 1st Automobile Marker
Carl Benz’s wife, Bertha, made the first long distance car trip in Carl’s first car. This monument honors her trip and bravery.

1. Carl Benz (Wikipedia). (Submitted on December 20, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)
2. Bertha Benz (Wikipedia). (Submitted on December 20, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)
 
The First Automobile / Das Erste Automobil Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Wikicommons, March 19, 2014
5. The First Automobile / Das Erste Automobil Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on December 19, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.   2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 20, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.
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Jun. 6, 2026