Daimler And Benz - The Complete History

There was a time when the horse was considered the pinnacle of personal transportation, a dependable arrangement involving four legs, an appetite for hay and an unfortunate tendency to produce manure outside respectable establishments. Then along came Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz, two German gentlemen whose mechanical experiments helped persuade humanity that travelling about in noisy, petrol-powered contraptions was a considerably better idea. The world has been searching for somewhere to park ever since.

In Daimler and Benz – The Complete History (2006), Dennis Adler explores the extraordinary story of two pioneering names whose innovations helped create the modern automobile. Published by Collins, this lavishly illustrated volume celebrates the engineering achievements, remarkable machines and fascinating personalities behind one of the world’s most prestigious automotive traditions.

Karl Benz’s pioneering three-wheeled Motorwagen of 1886 was a remarkable achievement, although it must have appeared rather alarming to pedestrians accustomed to the reassuring sight of horses. Meanwhile, Gottlieb Daimler and his collaborators pursued their own revolutionary developments in internal combustion engineering, helping establish the foundations of an industry that would eventually employ millions of people and make traffic congestion an international pastime.

The merging of these great engineering traditions in 1926 created Daimler-Benz, bringing together technical excellence, sporting ambition and an increasingly impressive reputation for producing motor cars whose prices suggested that quality was not intended to be a democratic experience.

From pioneering horseless carriages to magnificent Mercedes-Benz luxury automobiles, the company’s history became synonymous with innovation, craftsmanship and mechanical sophistication. Its celebrated machines included elegant pre-war touring cars, formidable sporting models and luxurious saloons designed for individuals who preferred their motoring to involve considerable refinement and an unmistakable sense of social achievement.

Adler charts this fascinating evolution, exploring the automobiles, engineering developments and historical events that shaped the marque’s reputation. The story encompasses racing triumphs, technological breakthroughs and the relentless pursuit of automotive excellence, occasionally accompanied by the equally determined pursuit of customers possessing unusually substantial bank balances.

Naturally, German engineering became associated with precision, durability and a reassuring commitment to making mechanical components considerably more complicated than strictly necessary. A simple solution might work perfectly well, but why settle for simplicity when an elaborate and beautifully manufactured alternative could be developed at considerable expense?

The result was an automotive legacy that helped define luxury motoring and influenced manufacturers throughout the world.

Condition: As New. This copy is in exceptional condition, presenting as new despite its 2006 publication date. Unlike a classic Mercedes-Benz of comparable age, it requires no specialist servicing, replacement electronic control units or financially alarming attention from an authorised dealership.

Published by Collins in 2006. ISBN: 9780060890261.

Offered by Crappy Old Books, where we admire the magnificent achievements of German automotive engineering, particularly when acquiring a piece of its history does not involve negotiating a complicated finance agreement.

An excellent addition to any collection of Mercedes-Benz literature, automotive history or luxury motoring photography. Particularly recommended for enthusiasts who appreciate that two German engineers helped change the world forever, even if their greatest invention ultimately made it possible to spend several hours sitting motionless on the motorway.

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