Gottlieb Daimler

NAME Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Gottlieb Daimler was a German engineer and industrialist who is credited with the invention of the high-speed internal combustion engine. He is also known for founding the Mercedes-Benz car manufacturer.

BIRTH Gottlieb Daimler was born on March 17, 1834, in Schorndorf, Kingdom of Württemberg (now Germany).

FAMILY BACKGROUND Daimler was born into a modest family. His father, Johannes Daimler, was a master baker and a local town councilor, while his mother, Frederika Daimler, managed the household. The family had deep roots in the area, as the Daimler family had been living in Schorndorf for about two centurie

CHILDHOOD  Young Gottlieb showed an early aptitude for mechanical pursuits, often disassembling and reassembling mechanical devices around his home. This curiosity shaped his future pursuits.

EDUCATION Gottlieb Daimler's fascination with engineering began early in his life. By 13, he had completed six years of primary studies at a Latin school (Lateinschule) while concurrently attending technical drawing classes on Sundays. This early exposure to technical subjects foreshadowed his future career path.

At 14, in 1848, he embarked on a gunsmith apprenticeship in Schorndorf. This experience equipped him with a strong foundation in precision mechanics, a valuable skill for his future endeavors.

After completing his apprenticeship and passing the trade exam in 1852, Daimler continued his education at the Industrial Trade School in Stuttgart. In 1857, he enrolled in Stuttgart's School for Advanced Training in the Industrial Arts (Stuttgart Polytechnic), where he studied under the renowned Ferdinand von Steinbeis. Daimler's dedication extended beyond regular classes, as he also participated in optional Sunday morning classes.

Daimler actively sought practical experience to complement his formal education. He worked at Rollé und Schwilque in Grafenstaden, where he eventually rose to the position of foreman. His pursuit of knowledge also led him to France, where he studied Lenoir's innovative gas engine and gained experience in factories manufacturing locomotives and band saws. Furthermore, Daimler traveled to England, visiting engineering works in various towns to gain firsthand insights into the British mechanical engineering industry.

CAREER RECORD Daimler's career began in 1857, when he took a job as a draftsman at a locomotive factory in Reutlingen. 

In 1862, he moved to Deutz Gasmotorenfabrik, where he worked on the development of stationary gas engines.

After meeting Wilhelm Maybach in the 1860s. they revolutionized automotive technology. In 1885, they created a high-speed petrol engine and the Reitwagen, the first internal combustion motorcycle. Their subsequent innovations included the Grandfather Clock engine, motorized stagecoaches, and boats. 

In 1890, Daimler and Maybach co-founded the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG), marking a turning point in automotive history.

APPEARANCE Daimler was of average height, with a receding hairline and a moustache and beard,. 

Gottlieb Daimler

FASHION Daimler preferred practical and traditional clothing, consistent with the styles of late 19th-century German professionals.

CHARACTER He was known for his meticulous nature, innovative thinking, and determination. Daimler combined a visionary outlook with pragmatic problem-solving skills.

SENSE OF HUMOUR While not known for his humor, Daimler appreciated light-hearted moments among close colleagues and family.

RELATIONSHIPS Gottlieb Daimler was married twice during his lifetime:

Daimler married Emma Pauline Kurz on November 9, 1867, in Maulbronn. Emma was the daughter of Friedrich Kurz, a pharmacist from Maulbronn. Together, they had seven  children. Emma died on July 28, 18894.

After Emma's death, Daimler married for a second time. He wed Lina Hartmann née Schwend on July 8, 1893, in Schwäbisch Hall8. Lina was 22 years younger than Daimler and was the widow owner of the hotel where Daimler had stayed in Florence while recuperating from heart problems in 1892.

The couple went on a honeymoon trip to Chicago, where Daimler also visited the World Exposition.

Daimler maintained a lifelong professional relationship with Wilhelm Maybach. 

MONEY AND FAME Gottlieb Daimler achieved significant wealth and fame during his lifetime, primarily driven by his pioneering work in engine development and the automotive industry. His financial success grew alongside his engineering achievements. In 1880, upon leaving Deutz AG, he received 112,000 Gold marks in company shares as compensation for his and Maybach's patents. This substantial sum enabled him to establish his own business in 1882. In 1895, Daimler regained shares in his company valued at 200,000 Marks for a payment of 66,666 Marks, further demonstrating his growing wealth. At the time of his death, he bequeathed approximately 25% of the share capital in the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft company to his family.

Daimler's innovations and business acumen garnered widespread recognition. He is widely acknowledged as the inventor of the truck and a pioneering figure in modern freight transport. Daimler's engines achieved international acclaim, notably by securing all 15 finishing positions in the 1894 Paris-Rouen road race. His engines' renowned reliability attracted prestigious clients, including Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin, who incorporated Daimler engines into his airships. Daimler's international connections made his engines a prominent topic of discussion abroad, sparking interest among English industrialists. He is recognized as one of the founding fathers of the world's oldest automobile manufacturer, now known as Daimler AG. Daimler is often referred to as "the father of the motorcycle." His work, alongside Carl Benz's, profoundly shaped the industrial landscape of the 20th century.

Despite his considerable success, Daimler remained steadfastly focused on innovation rather than personal acclaim. His visionary concept of utilizing his engine as a universal power source for land, water, and air vehicles was successfully realized, solidifying his enduring legacy within the automotive industry.

FOOD AND DRINK He enjoyed traditional German cuisine, often dining simply despite his success.

MUSIC AND ARTS Daimler appreciated classical music and supported local arts initiatives in Cannstatt.

LITERATURE Daimler was well-read, particularly in technical literature and engineering manuals.

NATURE He took inspiration from nature, which influenced some of his engineering designs.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Daimler enjoyed mechanical tinkering as a pastime and had a keen interest in boating.

A Daimler-powered car won the very first international car race – Paris to Rouen

SCIENCE AND MATHS He excelled in mechanical engineering, thermodynamics, and practical applications of physics.

INVENTIONS Gottlieb Daimler was a tinkerer extraordinaire. By the ripe old age of 10, he was already apprenticing with a gunsmith, whipping up double-barreled pistols like they were going out of style. It was clear young Gottlieb had a thing for machines, a fascination that would propel him, quite literally, into the history books.

After graduating, he embarked on a whirlwind tour of Europe, picking up practical experience in France and Britain. It was during this time that he stumbled upon a fellow gearhead named Wilhelm Maybach, a partnership that would change the course of transportation forever.

In 1882, these two restless minds decided to strike out on their own. Their workshop in Cannstatt wasn't exactly Buckingham Palace, but it was there that the magic happened. Their goal? To cram some serious power into a tiny package – a high-speed engine that could propel all sorts of contraptions. And boy, did they deliver.

First up was a little ditty they called the "high-speed petrol engine" in 1883. Not the catchiest name, but it got the job done. This wasn't your grandpappy's chugging steam engine – this was a firecracker waiting to be lit. Then came the "grandfather clock" engine in 1884, named for its, well, resemblance to a grandfather clock. Not exactly sleek, but a testament to their relentless tinkering.

The 1885 Grandfather Clock Engine by Morio

But Daimler and Maybach weren't ones to rest on their laurels. In 1885, they plopped their engine on a two-wheeled contraption and – voila! – the world's first motorcycle, the poetically named Petroleum Reitwagen (Riding Car). 

A year later, they weren't done yet. Taking their engine to the next level, they adapted it to a stagecoach, basically creating one of the first four-wheeled automobiles. Talk about a horseless carriage – this was the real deal.

Daimler's impact on the world is undeniable. His engines weren't just for cars – they were powering boats, trolleys, fire trucks, even those wacky dirigibles that looked like oversized cigars. He even played a part in spreading the gospel of the automobile internationally, licensing his engines to manufacturers around the globe. So next time you're stuck in traffic, take a moment to thank Gottlieb Daimler, the gearhead who kickstarted the horseless carriage revolution.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Daimler held strong Protestant values and believed in the importance of hard work and perseverance.

POLITICS He avoided direct political involvement, focusing instead on technological innovation.

SCANDAL Daimler faced business challenges, including disputes with investors, but avoided personal scandals.

When Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach were working on their engine designs in 1882, they converted Daimler's summer house in Cannstatt into a secret workshop. They covered the glass walls with cloth and worked day and night under strict secrecy. The strange noises coming from the workshop aroused suspicion in Daimler's gardener, who believed there was a counterfeiting operation taking place. The gardener called the police, who conducted a raid only to find tools and engine parts

MILITARY RECORD Though not a soldier, Daimler's engineering skills contributed to military applications, particularly in vehicle design.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Daimler’s later years were marked by health issues, including heart disease, which limited his mobility.

HOMES Gottlieb Daimler was born in a historic half-timbered house on Höllgasse in Schorndorf, Germany. This house, dating back to around 1695, was acquired by Daimler's grandfather in two installments between 1787 and 1806. It served as the family home where young Gottlieb grew up as a baker's son. Today, this significant birthplace is a museum and conference center, owned by Daimler AG since 1979, preserving the legacy of the renowned inventor.

In 1882, at the age of 48, Daimler purchased a villa in Bad Cannstatt, near Stuttgart, for the substantial sum of 75,000 Gold marks. Located on Taubenheimstrasse, at the edge of picturesque spa gardens, this property offered a serene environment. Daimler, who suffered from cardiac issues, was drawn to the villa's proximity to spa facilities, hoping for potential health benefits. The property also boasted a spacious garden complete with a greenhouse.

This greenhouse, however, would soon play a pivotal role in automotive history. Daimler and his collaborator Wilhelm Maybach transformed the greenhouse into a workshop and testing station, a secret haven for their groundbreaking research. It was within these walls that they conducted their initial tests on the small, high-speed internal combustion engine, culminating in its successful development in 1885. This remarkable achievement earned the greenhouse the distinction of being recognized as the birthplace of both the motorcycle and the motorboat.

The secrecy surrounding their work within this workshop inevitably led to some amusing episodes. Suspicions of counterfeiting even resulted in a police raid, highlighting the clandestine nature of their innovative pursuits.

Today, the garden house workshop is meticulously preserved as the Gottlieb Daimler Memorial. This captivating museum showcases the ambiance of those pioneering years through a fascinating array of exhibits, including tools, drawings, documents, photographs, and models. It serves as a poignant reminder of the ingenuity and dedication that fueled Daimler's revolutionary contributions to the automotive world.

Daimler's summer house (Cannstatt) Wikipedia

TRAVEL Gottlieb Daimler was a seasoned traveler, his journeys proving instrumental in both his professional development and personal life.

Daimler's early career saw him embark on a series of educational and professional travels. In the early 1850s, he gained valuable practical experience in mechanical engineering while working in France.

From autumn 1861 to summer 1863, Daimler ventured to England, then considered the "motherland of technology." This period proved highly enriching, as he visited several renowned engineering firms, including Beyer, Peacock & Company in Manchester, engineering works in Oldham and Leeds, locomotive manufacturers in Manchester, and a machine tool factory in Coventry. While in England, he also attended the prestigious 1862 International Exhibition in London, broadening his horizons further.

Before returning to Germany, Daimler also gained valuable experience working in Belgium.

Daimler's travels extended beyond personal and educational pursuits. In late 1881, he embarked on a business trip to Russia on behalf of the gas engine factory. This journey aimed to explore potential business opportunities and gain insights into the state of Russian industry.

In 1893, Daimler and his second wife, Lina, embarked on a memorable honeymoon to North America. They attended the prestigious World Exposition in Chicago, experiencing the cutting-edge technology and industrial advancements of the time.

In the spring of 1893, Daimler traveled to Florence, Italy, seeking medical treatment for his heart condition.

Daimler's legacy lives on in every car that zooms down the road today. The company he co-founded eventually merged with another car pioneer, Carl Benz, to form Daimler-Benz, which later became the Mercedes-Benz we all know and love. 

DEATH Gottlieb Daimler died on March 6, 1900, at the age of 65 in Cannstatt, near Stuttgart, Germany. His death came after years of suffering from a heart condition that had affected him since the late 1880s..

Daimler's funeral and burial took place shortly after his death. He was laid to rest in the Uff-Kirchhof cemetery in Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt. This cemetery, located in the area where Daimler had lived and worked for many years, became his final resting place.

The death of Gottlieb Daimler marked the end of an era in automotive history. He had just enough time to see the fruits of his labor and innovations in the automotive industry before his passing. Daimler's death came only seven years after his return to the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) in 1895, during which time the company experienced a significant upturn in business

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Daimler’s life and contributions have been highlighted in documentaries and exhibitions about the history of the automobile. 

They include:

The Birth of the Automobile – This documentary explores the contributions of Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach to automotive engineering, highlighting their innovations like the Reitwagen and the Grandfather Clock engine.

The Innovators: Daimler and Maybach – A detailed look at their partnership and the challenges they overcame to revolutionize transportation.

Mercedes-Benz Museum (Stuttgart, Germany) – Daimler’s life and inventions are central features of this museum. Interactive exhibits showcase his Grandfather Clock engine and the Reitwagen.

Deutsches Museum (Munich, Germany) – Includes exhibits on Daimler’s contributions to engineering and his collaboration with Maybach.

ACHIEVEMENTS Development of the high-speed petrol engine (1885)

Creation of the Reitwagen, the first internal combustion motorcycle (1885)

The Reitwagen (riding car), the first internal combustion motorcycle By Joachim Köhler

Foundation of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (1890)

Production of the first automobile (1892)

Contribution to the merger forming Daimler-Benz AG (1926)