1-157-835 - Mercedes GmbH/Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Rear-engined Benz Velo car, German, 1894. Karl Benz was the father of the motorcar. In 1885 he built the first successful petrol engine car, and Benz cars were produced for public sale from 1888. For more than ten years Benz led the world in car production and in 1896 their output exceeded the combined efforts of all car makers in Britain and the United States of America.