ABOUT 16 MILES east of Stuttgart lies the town of Schorndorf. It's picturesque yet unremarkable, typical of what is now a wineproducing area, with the old market square surrounded by quaint, half-timbered buildings, and a gently bustling feel as BadenWürttembergers go about their shopping or take some shelter from the spring sun at one of the many coffee shops and bars.
One single building is of particular note, and that's the birthplace of a visionary: Gottlieb Daimler. When the engineering company started by Daimler in 1890 merged with that of Karl Benz in 1926, the foundations were laid for the modern car manufacturer we now know as Mercedes-Benz.
"This is where it started. A protestant need to survive in a poor area,' says Marcus Breitschwerdt, head of Mercedes-Benz Heritage, as we pass a bust of Daimler on our way up the steps and over the threshold. "This is a very traditional house, probably built in the 1700s. Daimler was born here in 1834; his father was a baker and his mother sold wine. There was no heavy industry in the area, no minerals or agriculture. The only capital you had was your brain and a work ethic.
As one of five children and without the money to be sent away to school, the 14-year-old Daimler was faced with finding an apprenticeship locally. By his home on Höllgasse, there was a gunsmith one way and a cooper the other. "Thank goodness he chose the gunsmith,' chuckles Marcus.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2023-Ausgabe von Octane.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2023-Ausgabe von Octane.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Nathalie McGloin
The only female tetraplegic racing driver in the world and co-founder of Spinal Track, charity supporting disabled drivers
Atomium
An iron molecule, 100m tall and scaled-up 165billion times, was the future in ’58
The Valjoux 7750
Rendered obsolete in the late 1970s, Edmond Capt's wonder movement is not only back, but selling 200,000 units a year
Lucy O'Reilly Schell
The first American woman to compete in a Grand Prix was also a distinguished rally driver and team owner
OCTANE CARS
OWNING+ DRIVING + MAINTAINING
OUR MAN IN JAPAN
James Elliott joins an exclusive Japanese classic tour in an exquisite Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato 1600
LONG-TERM LEGENDS
These two SS100 Jaguars have been in the hands of well-known and dedicated enthusiasts for five decades and more. Chris Mann divulges their entertaining histories
Micky Pople
Octane meets the 95-year-old and talks about his life with the stars as one of Bristol's Filton Fliers'
LEADING FROM THE MIDDLE
The René Bonnet Djet was the world's first mid-engined production road car. Glen Waddington enjoys a momentous French Lotus rival
BACK AGAIN FOR MORE
This Le Mans-winning Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Zagato Spider appeared in the very first issue of Octane. More than 20 years on, Robert Coucher acquaints himself and finally gets behind the wheel