00:00Welcome to a journey back in time, to an era where the world was on the cusp of a revolutionary change in transportation.
00:08Before the roar of engines became commonplace, people relied on horses for travel.
00:13But a visionary few dreamed of something more, something horseless.
00:17This desire for faster, more efficient travel set the stage for one of history's most pivotal inventions.
00:22In the late 19th century, amidst rapid industrial advancements, an invention emerged that would forever change how we move.
00:31Enter Karl Benz, a German engineer with an audacious vision, to create a self-propelled vehicle.
00:37His perseverance led to the birth of the Benz patent motor wagon.
00:42Benz's relentless pursuit of his dream, overcoming numerous technical challenges, ultimately resulted in what is widely considered the world's first automobile.
00:50In 1886, the patent motor wagon, a three-wheeled marvel, was officially unveiled.
00:57It was a humble beginning, but its impact would be anything but.
01:01While Karl Benz created the machine, it was his wife, Bertha Benz, who truly proved its potential in a daring, unsanctioned journey.
01:09Without her husband's knowledge, Bertha, along with her two sons, embarked on a secret road trip to visit her mother, a journey that would become legendary.
01:17This wasn't just a joyride. It was the world's first long-distance automobile journey, covering approximately 66 miles each way.
01:26Bertha's trip was far from smooth, encountering numerous obstacles that tested her ingenuity and the vehicle's resilience.
01:33She acted as her own mechanic, using a hatpin to clear a clogged fuel line and a garter to insulate a worn ignition wire.
01:40Fuel was another challenge. The patent motor wagon ran on Ligroin, a petroleum solvent only available at pharmacies.
01:47Bertha famously stopped at several to refuel.
01:50Bertha's bold journey captured public attention, sparking a mix of skepticism, amusement, and awe.
01:57Many were astonished by the horseless carriage, moving under its own power, while others viewed it as a noisy, unreliable curiosity.
02:04Despite initial reactions, Bertha's drive proved the automobile's practicality, paving the way for the burgeoning automotive industry.
02:13The wobbly ride of the first horseless carriage laid the foundation for the transportation marvels we know today.
02:19The legacy of the first car, and its pioneering creators, continues to inspire innovation in mobility.
02:25It stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the power of a dream to transform the world.
