This year, and starting today, Mercedes-Benz and Daimler AG are celebrating 125 years of motor cars. On 29 January 1886, Carl Benz actually filed patent no. 37435 for "vehicle powered by gas engine". It started an exceptional adventure in automotive engineering.
Photo credits : Daimler AG
The story tells that less than 100 km away, Gottlieb Daimler, entrepreneur and inventor, was working on his motorized carriage at the same time.
In 1924, Carl Benz and Paul Daimler (Gottlieb's son -- he owns the brand Mercedes, from Emil Jellinek) signed an *Agreement of Mutual Interest* valid until the year 2000. Both enterprises standardized design, production, purchasing, sales, and advertising -- marketing their automobile models jointly -- although keeping their respective brands. [Wikipedia]
Benz & Cie. and DMG (Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft) finally merged as the Daimler-Benz company in 1926, and the automobiles were labeled "Mercedes-Benz".
For this 125 years event, Mercedes-Benz produced a short movie showcasing some of the nicest cars they ever made. I am passionate about old-timers, so you understand why I like this movie.
"A night in the museum" Video credits : Daimler AG