Karl Benz
Karl Benz (on the right) was the German mechanical engineer who designed and in 1885 built the worlds first practical automobile using an internal combustion engine. Despite others like Gottlieb Daimler (on the left) who worked on the 4 wheeler design, Benz stuck to the 3 wheeled design for many years producing many vehicles. In the days before tarmac roads, many common roads had two rutted tracks left by horse drawn coaches. Whilst the 4 wheeler would often have a smooth ride on these tracks, the front wheel of the 3 wheeler was on uneven ground, creating a bumpy ride for the passenger, and placing great stress on the structure itself. Benz had wanted to design this vehicle as a 3 wheeler to overcome steering problems.
In 1888 Benz started to advertise his 3 wheeler but the public refused to buy it. It was only after his family (wife and two sons) stole the car one night and drove it from Mannheim (pronounced Manhighm) to Pforzheim (pronounced Forshighm) around 65miles away, that the public became fascinated by it and the Benz started to sell.
From 1893 Benz changed his vehicle to a 4 wheeler design. (the Benz Victoria) Benz then later merged with Daimler to become Daimler Benz or "Mercedes Benz as most people know it to day.
The name "Mercedes" came from one of Daimler's business partners called Emil Jellinek. Emil Jellinek was an Austrian businessman, who had a young daughter called "Mercedes". He was also an avid car- racer, and was known among his friends as "Monsieur Mercedes". In the early 1900s, Jellinek was fascinated by the latest model cars provided by Daimler and bought a bunch of them giving the crucial capital and exposure to different markets.
He had two conditions for buying these cars from Daimler: First he would become a sole agent in the Austrian- Hungary monarchy, France, and the US, and secondly, the car would be named after his daughter "Mercedes". Benz and Daimler agreed, and that is the story of Karl Benz who built and sold the worlds first automobile, using an internal combustion engine.