Car History 10. The Meeting of Otto and Daimler

 After completing his formal education, Benz received professional training at several companies, but none of them truly captured his heart. What fascinated him instead was the internal combustion engine, which he studied alone at night after working more than 12 hours during the day.

Benz realized that in order to create an internal combustion engine and the necessary machinery to make it work, he needed skills from various fields. For this reason, he trained at different companies for seven years to master the techniques he required. As a result, Benz acquired diverse expertise in various factories and laid the foundation for building a car that could run without horses.

His training began at the mechanical engineering company Maschinenbau-Gesellschaft in Karlsruhe, where he worked for two years handling different machines. Later, he moved to Mannheim, working as a draftsman and designer at a meter factory. In 1868, he joined Gebrüder Benckiser Eisenwerke und Maschinenfabrik in Pforzheim, specializing in bridge construction. Finally, he worked briefly at an ironworks company in Vienna.

While Benz was honing his skills and nurturing his dreams, Daimler and Maybach were also working tirelessly to realize theirs. Daimler married Emma Kurtz in 1867 and enjoyed happy days, and by December 1868, he became the manager at Carlsruhe Mechanical Engineering Company. During that time, in 1868, German Joseph Ravel created the first steam automobile using petroleum (gasoline) to heat the boiler. Soon, both Benz and Daimler would become interested in the explosive power of petroleum.

In 1869, when Maybach turned 23, he followed Daimler, who was then a board member at Maschinenbau Gesellschaft Karlsruhe AG, a large locomotive factory. Although Daimler held an executive position, instead of enjoying authority, he spent long nights with Maybach discussing engines, pumps, logging machines, and metalworking, pursuing their dreams.

In 1871, at the age of 27, Karl Benz partnered with mechanical technician August Ritta to establish a small machine workshop in Mannheim, about the size of an ordinary house. The workshop focused on making sheet-metal machines, cast iron products, and mechanical work for construction materials, while also researching the development of new types of engines. However, Benz, being more of an inventor and designer than a businessman, struggled with sales. The business failed miserably in its first year.

Doubting Benz’s machine workshop and his new engine development, August Ritta withdrew from the partnership and demanded his share of the company. Benz could not afford to pay, and as a result of Ritta’s legal action, the local authorities seized Benz’s workshop. In this moment of hardship, it was his fiancée Bertha Ringer who came to his aid. Knowing Benz’s difficulties, Bertha used her dowry to buy out Ritta’s share, saving the company.

This brought Benz and Bertha even closer, and on July 20, 1872, at the age of 26, Karl Benz married Bertha Ringer, the woman who had become his greatest supporter. She would later test drive Benz’s first automobile, undertake the world’s first long-distance car journey, and even commit the world’s first traffic violation. The couple had five children: Eugen (1873), Richard (1874), Clara (1876), Thilde (1882), and Ellen (1890).

Bertha Ringer, after marriage known as Bertha Benz, would soon make history with a bold act that earned her the title “Mother of the Automobile.”

One late afternoon in July 1872, Daimler and Maybach were, as usual, deep in discussion at Daimler’s home. Emma Kurtz, Daimler’s wife, smiled at them, thinking of them as eccentric men. While ordinary people lived to earn money and seek comfort, Daimler and Maybach poured all their energy and wealth into creating something new. Though she saw them as odd, Emma loved them.

Suddenly, she heard someone at the door. Opening it, she found a middle-aged man with clear eyes. Feeling he was there for her husband, she greeted him politely.

“Who are you, sir?”

“Good day, madam. My name is Nikolaus August Otto. Is Mr. Daimler at home?”

“Ah, yes. He is inside with Mr. Maybach in discussion. Would you mind waiting a while?”

“Oh! With the famous Mr. Maybach as well? Then I am a lucky man indeed. I would gladly wait for hours.”

Emma smiled and went to Daimler and Maybach.

“My dear, a gentleman named Nikolaus August Otto is here. He wishes to meet both of you. What shall I do?”

Instantly, Daimler and Maybach leapt to their feet, exclaiming in unison:

“Otto?”

They looked at each other, realizing they were about to meet a true master of engines.

Nikolaus August Otto (1832.6.10 – 1891.1.26) was renowned as the creator of the modern four-stroke internal combustion engine. Born in Holzhausen, Germany, Otto founded the Otto & Langen Gas Engine Factory in 1864 with engineer Carl Eugen Langen (1833–1895). Three years later, in 1867, they exhibited their engine at the Paris World’s Fair, the same year Louis Vuitton first presented its bags. Their engine was recognized as more advanced than Étienne Lenoir’s coal-gas engine of 1860.

Nikolaus August Otto

Carl Eugen Langen

Otto was skilled enough to surpass even Daimler and Maybach in engine technology. His unexpected visit shocked them. Daimler greeted Otto at the door and led him into the parlor. Emma served tea, and after introductions, Otto broke the awkward silence.

“Mr. Daimler, Mr. Maybach, forgive me for coming unannounced. As you know, I am Nikolaus August Otto. I will be direct. Alongside Eugen Langen, I have founded the Deutz AG Gasmotorenfabrik. We have great experience and skill in engine development, but I fear we have grown complacent. Stagnant water soon rots. We are seeking fresh talent, and your names are spoken everywhere as the finest in the field. People say Daimler and Maybach will create a completely new generation of internal combustion engines.”

Exchanging glances, Daimler and Maybach listened as Otto continued:

“I know your dreams, for I too once pursued them in my youth. But achieving something from nothing is incredibly hard. I own 50% of Deutz AG, which means I can decide the company’s direction. How about we join forces? Together, the best four engineers of our time could create the next generation of engines. All research expenses will be covered by the company.”

Daimler and Maybach looked uneasy. Otto was essentially asking them to share their expertise, but they were already planning to surpass Otto’s engines.

Daimler responded carefully:

“Mr. Otto, your offer is indeed a great honor. We cannot simply refuse such fortune. However, we cannot decide this matter right now. If you grant us a few days, we will give you our answer.”

Smiling knowingly, Otto pulled an envelope from his coat and handed it to Daimler.

“What is this?” Daimler asked.

“This will ensure that you cannot refuse to work with me. I shall see you again soon.”

After Otto left, Maybach spoke irritably.

“Mr. Daimler, to think Otto tried to buy us with money! How insulting.”

“Yes, it is disheartening to think he would try to purchase us.”

When Daimler opened the envelope, he found not banknotes but several folded papers. Unfolding them, he and Maybach were astonished—they were detailed design blueprints. Shocked, they spent the entire night poring over Otto’s documents.

On August 1, 1872, Daimler and the brilliant designer Maybach, persuaded by Otto, joined the Deutz AG Gasmotorenfabrik to develop new engines. Otto became the first president, Langen the vice president, and Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler was appointed technical director.

Thus, four geniuses—Nikolaus Otto, Eugen Langen, Gottlieb Daimler, and Wilhelm Maybach—worked together at the same factory, paving the way for the future of the automobile.