The First Automobile – Who Invented It?
The first car was built by Carl Benz in 1885. He was a German engineer, and due to his achievements, he was recognized as the pioneer of automobiles. The author of the first vehicle was born on November 25, 1844, in Mühlburg, located in southwestern Germany.
Probably going to high school for natural sciences, no one would have guessed that it was this boy who would create the first car that would revolutionize the history of mankind.
Thanks to his early love of machines after high school, he studied mechanical engineering at Karlsruhe University of Technology for four years. After graduation, he worked as a locksmith and machine designer, among other things. In 1871, he and his partner opened their own mechanical workshop in Mannheim.
Between 1877 and 1880, he developed a design for a two-stroke internal combustion engine and then began its production. As you can see, just producing engines was not enough for Benz and so five years later he developed the first automobile.
The First Car – Where Was It Made?
The first car was built in Mannheim by Benz & Cie. Rheinische Gasmotorenfabrik owned by Carl Benz. Interestingly, the first car built by a German engineer did not appeal to the public at all. Therefore, the first car entered the workshop once again, where it was improved.
In 1888, the first car this time with a facelift was again presented by Benz, which met with great interest, but did not bring many buyers. The constructor therefore presented the first ever car at a fair in Munich, having previously obtained permission to present it for two hours a day.
The First Car – What Did It Look Like?
Interestingly, the first car did not at all resemble the design we know so well, as it was actually a three-wheeled vehicle called the Benz Patent-Motorwagen Nummer 1. The engineering solutions adopted were the result of not being able to fit an engine weighing 100 kg inside a bicycle frame.
The first car was stable and sturdy with a base constructed from bent steel tubing. A bench seat for the driver and passenger was then mounted on it. It is worth mentioning that in those days the roads were uneven, but Benz took this into account as well, installing springs and springs under the bench. The first car was coated in glossy black paint, which is still listed in Mercedes-Benz catalogs today as “Schwarz DB 40”.
In addition to the appearance, of course, it is necessary to introduce the quintessence of motoring, namely the engine. The first car in the history of mankind was powered by a four-stroke engine allowing a maximum speed of up to 16 km/h. The driver inside did not have it easy, because the first car did not have a gearbox, but a transmission with a differential.
What distinguished the first car was the steering wheel, the function of which was performed by a vertical crank. For this reason, the first test drives took place around the courtyard of Benz & Cie. Rheinische Gasmotorenfabrik. Many automotive sources claim that it was during these tests that the first car was wrecked, but there is insufficient evidence for this. (But even though it was many years ago, you shouldn’t forget your safety: here).
When the first car was completed, Benz went to the patent office and applied for his invention under the number 37,435. Benz’s subsequent achievements, as well as his collaboration with engineer Gottlieb Daimler, resulted in the creation of the Mercedes-Benz brand, which is still in operation today.
Improved Changes. Automatic Windshield Wipers
A solution known for many years and used almost everywhere, and yet unfortunately in many cars it does not work as expected. The main purpose of this solution is to automatically activate the windshield wipers when the driver is surprised by a sudden splash on the windshield, for example from a car coming from the oncoming direction. The engineers also wanted to adjust the windshield wipers in this way to accommodate uneven and temporary precipitation.
Automatic High Beam Headlights
Adaptive headlights are a great solution, although not in every model. Presumably, they should switch to low beam when the driver gets lost and blinds a driver coming from the oncoming direction. The system should also turn on high beam when the driver forgets he has it, which, unfortunately, happens quite often. In practice, however, the automation is very annoying.
Not only does the automation dazzle those around us, but it also doesn’t light up the road when we need it. Although the dipped beam headlights still turn on quite accurately – if you don’t count the dazed unfortunates driving trucks – you have to wait too long for the high beam to turn on, losing precious bits of visibility when, for example, you leave a populated area and drive into the woods.
Lane Keeping Assist
One of my favorite systems, provided it works well. I would like to briefly define the three types of lane assist, which differ significantly.
- Warning Assist – warns the driver if they have run into a lane marking line or if they are getting too close to one. The signal can be in three independent forms: audible, visual or vibration on the steering wheel.
- Correcting assistant – warns, but also corrects the driver’s path by turning the steering wheel in the direction opposite to the lane the vehicle is excessively approaching.
- Guidance assistant – takes an active part in driving the vehicle, constantly correcting the lane and keeping the vehicle in the center of the designated lane. In hazardous situations, it also warns the driver with an audible signal, for example. If you own a car, you may find this helpful: best soft top for jeep wrangler.
Cars are evolving before our eyes from a human-controlled electromechanical device to a fully autonomous vehicle. Today, most new cars are equipped with advanced driver assistance systems that perform functions such as lane keeping, independent emergency braking, video surveillance, and more. At the same time, however, experimental, fully autonomous cars are already capable of driving millions of miles in test mode, and this brings us closer to a turning point in the development of the automotive industry.
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