Mercedes-Benz Museum Celebrates Bertha Benz’s First Long Distance Drive

By BenzInsider.com - July 1, 2013

Content Provided Courtesy of Benz-Insider

The Mercedes-Benz Museum is celebrating the 125th anniversary of Bertha Benz’s epic journey of using the Benz Patent-Motorwagen Type III. The Berta Benz Days at the museum will be from August 2 to August 4, wherein guided tours will highlight this pioneer in the automotive industry. The journey of Bertha Benz, who was joined by her sons, started in Mannheim and ended in Pforzheim.

The 106-kilometer journey was the first long-distance journey of the first motor car in the world. A commemorative drive will be conducted from August 9 to 11, 2013.

Aside from highlighting the capabilities of the Patent-Motorwagen in the journey to Pforzheim, Bertha Benz was also optimistic that it will also make her husband, Carl Benz, become more confident in making his work known. Prior to the journey, the patent application for the Motorwagen was already filed but Carl Benz had yet to show its capability in traveling long distances.

In addition to providing evidence of its capability in traveling long distances, the journey also provided hints to Carl Benz on possible enhancements on the vehicle. The journey also defined some essential infrastructure required for motor vehicles, such as filling stations.

Telegrams informed the family of Carl Benz on the progress of the journey. The journey undertaken by Bertha Benz was not only a critical point for the Patent-Motorwagen since it also showed a glimpse of the future of motor vehicles.