The world’s first automobile was the Benz Patent Motorwagen. It was unveiled by Karl Benz on 3rd July 1886 on the Ringstrasse (Ringstraße) in Mannheim.
The Patent Motorwagen was the first true automobile – one with an internal combustion engine. It was financed by Benz’s wife Bertha, who, because of the laws of that time, was now allowed to apply for the patent. The original cost of the automobile was $1,000 and was awarded the German patent number 37435. Karl Benz had applied for the patent on 29th January 1886.
In 1926, the companies of Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler were merged to form Mercedes-Benz.
