Karl Benz
A German engine designer and automobile engineer, generally regarded as the inventor of the gasoline-powered automobile.
Most quoted
"I had to create the world from scratch. I had to create the engine, the chassis, the steering, the brakes, the clutch, the transmission, the radiator, the fuel tank, the carburetor, the ignition, the spark plugs, the tires, the body, the seats, the lights, the horn, the speedometer, the odometer, the fuel gauge, the oil gauge, the water temperature gauge, the battery, the generator, the starter, the the the..."
— from Interview, 1886
"I have often been asked why I did not patent the automobile. My answer is simple: I did not invent the wheel, nor the engine, nor the chassis. I merely put them together in a way that had not been done before. To patent the whole would be like patenting a sandwich."
— from Attributed
"The greatest challenge was not building the car, but convincing people they needed one. They were perfectly content with their horses, bless their dusty souls."
— from Attributed
All quotes by Karl Benz (401)
My invention was not about speed, but about freedom. The freedom from the stable, the oats, and the shovel.
They said it wouldn't work. Then they asked for a ride.
The only thing more satisfying than building something new is watching someone else enjoy it.
I never sought fame, only functionality. The fame, like the speed, came later.
To truly understand a machine, you must first understand its purpose. And its tendency to break down at the most inconvenient times.
My greatest fear was not failure, but being ignored. Fortunately, the noise of my engine ensured that never happened.
Innovation is not about doing something different, but doing something better. Even if 'better' means 'less smelly.'
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single spark plug.
Some called it a toy for the rich. I called it a glimpse into the future for everyone.
I didn't invent the future, I merely put it on wheels.
The best way to predict the future is to invent it, preferably with an internal combustion engine.
My early customers were brave souls. They bought a machine that was louder than a brass band and less reliable than a politician's promise.
They said it was a passing fad. I said, 'So is walking, if you have a better option.'
The most complex problems often have the simplest solutions, if you're willing to get your hands dirty.
I never sought to replace the horse, merely to offer a more efficient alternative for those who preferred not to shovel.
The only thing constant in engineering is change. And the occasional breakdown.
My greatest satisfaction comes from seeing my creations move, even if sometimes they move in unexpected directions.
The world is full of skeptics. It's also full of roads waiting to be driven.
I built a machine that could travel faster than a horse. My wife then taught me it could also travel further than my patience.
To invent is to be misunderstood, at least until everyone else catches up.
Contemporaries of Karl Benz
Other Engineerings born within 50 years of Karl Benz (1844–1929).