Tech History Made on January 29, 1886

On this day in 1886 the Motorwagen patent was applied for by Karl Benz. The Motorwagen or motor car had a rear mounted 954 cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine, capable of .9 hp. The car had 3 wheels, 2 in the back and one in the front used to steer. Benz designed and built additional models of the Motorwagen, number 2 with 1.5 hp and number 3 with 2 hp. Number three could reach a thrilling 10mph! Of course, Benz company went on to become part of Daimler-Benz and Mercedes Benz. Because of the Motorwagen, Karl Benz is acknowledged by most as the inventor of of the modern automobile.