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)
To innovate, one must be willing to break from tradition.
My children are my greatest joy, and I hope they will continue my legacy.
I am a firm believer in the power of engineering to change the world.
The early days were filled with hardship, but we never lost faith.
Simplicity in design is key to reliability.
The horse-drawn carriage is a relic of the past.
I am grateful for the support of my family and friends.
The future of transportation is self-propelled.
Every bolt, every gear, every component must be meticulously crafted.
The world will one day be crisscrossed by roads filled with automobiles.
My work is my passion, my life's purpose.
The internal combustion engine is a marvel of human ingenuity.
We must constantly strive for improvement.
I have faced ridicule and doubt, but I have never wavered.
The sound of the engine starting is music to my ears.
To build something truly new, one must be an inventor, not just a manufacturer.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single spark.
My greatest reward is the knowledge that I have contributed to human progress.
The automobile is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
I believe in the power of hard work and dedication.
Contemporaries of Karl Benz
Other Engineerings born within 50 years of Karl Benz (1844–1929).