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Gotlieb
Daimler
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pioneer Gottlieb Daimler (1834 - 1900) was born at Schorndorf,
Wurtemburg, Germany. He studied at the Polytechnic in Stuttgart
and apprenticed as a gunsmith. In order to enlarge his understanding
of engineering, Daimler traveled to France, working on the
gas engine of J J Lenoir in Paris. He later gained experience
in a locomotive works at Strasburg, and at the factory of
Joseph Whitworth (1803-87) in Manchester. |
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The
29-year-old Daimler was appointed in 1863
to reorganise the affairs of the Bruderhaus Maschinen-Fabrik,
where he met his life-long friend and design assistant Wilhelm
Maybach (1846-1929). |
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In
1872, Daimler and Maybach began working for Nikolaus Otto
at Deutz-AG-Gasmotorenfabrik in Cologne, then the world's
largest manufacturer of stationary engines. The
company was partly owned by Nikolaus Otto, inventor of the
four-stroke internal-combustion engine.
Both Daimler and Otto focused on gas engine development, while
Maybach was chief designer. |
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Daimler
and Maybach went into business together in 1882. They set
up a workshop in a converted greenhouse on an estate in
Taubenheimstraße in Cannstatt, Stuttgart. |
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The greenhouse with its workbench and smithy became the
refuge of the two engineers. Daimler and Maybach worked
day and night and in complete secrecy. Even Daimler’s
family and domestic staff had no idea of what was going
on in the greenhouse. A suspicious gardener even called
the police, believing that the greenhouse was a money-counterfeiting
workshop. |
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It was to everyone’s great surprise that the police
found nothing but tools and engine components in a night-time
search. From then on, Daimler and Maybach were left alone
to continue their work. |
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Taking Nicolaus Otto`s internal combustion engine idea a
step further, Daimler and Maybach created a high-speed,
horizontal test engine featuring a hot-tube ignition system
in 1883. |
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In
April 1885, Gottlieb Daimler patented what is generally recognized
as the prototype of the modern gas engine. The so-called "grandfather
clock" had an enclosed crankcase on which the air-cooled
cylinder was mounted in an upright position.
Weighing a mere 60 kilograms (132 lbs), the single-cylinder
engine had a displacement of 264 cubic centimeters and developed
an output of 0.37 kW (0.5 hp) at 650 rpm. |
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The
intake valve operated automatically, and the exhaust valve
was actuated by curved groove control in the flywheel. |
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Thanks
to its comparative low weight and compact dimensions, this
motor was suitable for installation into vehicles. |
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Daimler
then built what is considered by many the first gasoline powered
motorcycle. This engine with workable controls was installed
in a two-wheeled wooden frame as a proof of concept testbed. |
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They called it the 'Reitwagen' or a two-wheeled 'riding carriage'.
Also known as an 'Einspur' or 'single track', it featured
two additional spring mounted outrigger wheels which were
added for balance. It may have also included a spray-type
carburetor, then under development for use in the Daimler
automobile. |
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On
November 10th 1885 Daimler’s son Paul, 17, completed
the first run on the motorcycle from Cannstatt to Unterturkheim
and back (about eight miles). Given the conditions of roads
at the time, it could hardly have been a comfortable journey.
However, the only problem encountered was that the heat
of the engine set fire to the saddle. |
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Daimler
and Maybach worked on improving their motors, |
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building
single, V twin and four cylinder types, fitting these into
carriages, airships, and boats. |
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After
Daimlers death in 1900, Maybach began work on what would
become the Mercedes.
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The
original 1885 Reitwagen motorcycle was lost in the factory
fire at Cannstatt in 1903. The production facilities along
with ninety vehicles, – including three race cars were destroyed.
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Gotlieb
Daimler
Contact us:
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