175 years ago, in a wealthy carpenter’s home in central Germany, a baby girl was born. She would later become a legendary figure in the history of German automotive development, the wife of the father of the automobile, Karl Benz – Bertha Benz.
On a clear morning in August 1988, Bertha Benz left a note for her husband, Karl Benz, who was asleep, and set off with her 15-year-old and 13-year-old sons. Bertha later recalled that she didn’t inform her husband because she knew he wouldn’t approve, as the mode of transportation for the trio was a three-wheeled motor car – the Benz Patent-Motorwagen 3.
Their home was in Mannheim, while her family home was 104 kilometers south in Pforzheim. Despite Bertha driving the motor car, it took them 13 hours to reach their destination, making it the first long-distance test drive in history and setting several records.
Karl Benz, often referred to as the father of modern automobiles, patented the first motor vehicle in January 1886. The car had an approximate horsepower of 3PS and could reach a speed of about 16 kilometers per hour. However, this invention initially faced skepticism and distrust as people were hesitant about a vehicle without horses or a coachman to drive it. Gottlieb Daimler, another inventor, introduced a four-wheeled motor car, increasing competition.
Due to the lack of trust in such vehicles, Karl Benz’s test drives were often obstructed. Bertha took matters into her own hands and secretly embarked on the journey to her mother’s home with her children.
People were both curious and fearful of the self-propelled contraption on wheels. Bertha faced hostile looks, curses calling the vehicle a “witch’s car,” and even stones being thrown at them. Despite this, Bertha remained composed and continued forward.
The road back to her mother’s house was rough, lacking suitable paths for the motor car. They had to push the car uphill when needed, facing challenges such as a clogged oil pipe and a broken ignition device which Bertha fixed using a hairpin.
After traveling 30 kilometers, they were running low on fuel and had to stop in Wiesloch, approximately 15 kilometers south of Heidelberg, to refuel at a pharmacy, inadvertently creating the world’s first gasoline station.
Along the way, they had to find water to cool the car every few kilometers, whether from wells, ditches, or requesting it from inns. The brake linings wore out, and Bertha reinforced them with leather caps from a cobbler. A village blacksmith also helped repair the car’s chain, opening the first automotive repair shop.
That evening, after reaching their destination, Bertha telegraphed her husband to assure him of their safety. A few days later, she purposely took a different route back to Mannheim.
Although the person Bertha wanted to visit that day was not home, the adventurous journey was a success. Relatives were eager to test drive the car in the days that followed.
This daring journey served as excellent advertising, showcasing the effectiveness of automobiles to the world. Newspapers extensively covered the event, leading to a shift in people’s attitudes towards automobiles.
Based on Bertha’s experience, Karl Benz made improvements to the vehicle, including enhancing brake components and adding a gear mechanism for better climbing power – another first in automotive history.
Soon, Benz’s company received numerous orders and started mass production. By 1900, Benz had grown to become the world’s largest automobile company.
During a commemorative event in 2019, Mercedes-Benz praised Bertha’s journey to her mother’s house, stating, “She didn’t just drive a car, she drove an industry.”
Karl Benz expressed deep gratitude for his wife’s courage and determination, acknowledging her pivotal role in the development of automobiles.
Bertha, born in Pforzheim in May 1849, invested her dowry in her husband’s business, allowing him to establish the company and pursue his passion, eventually becoming the father of modern automobiles.
With a longstanding interest in mechanics from a young age, Bertha spent hours with her husband tinkering with parts, enabling her to remain composed and resourceful during the first long-distance test drive. She also managed to balance being a mother to four children.
Bertha played multiple roles – a homemaker, mother, engineer, test driver, adventurer, sponsor, and leader.
In his memoirs, Karl Benz reflected on Bertha’s unwavering support during crucial moments of his life. When his “little boat of life was about to sink,” it was Bertha who courageously raised the sails of hope.
On her 95th birthday, the Karl Benz Industrial University, where Karl once studied, awarded Bertha the title of Honorary Senator. Two days later, on May 5, 1944, this extraordinary woman from the past closed her eyes forever.