A captivating black and white photograph circulates widely online, often presented as a genuine image of Bertha Benz, the wife of Karl Benz, and her sons, Richard and Eugen. The claim accompanying this photo asserts it captures a moment from Bertha Benz’s groundbreaking first car journey in 1888, the first ever long-distance automobile trip.
While Bertha Benz’s journey was indeed a remarkable achievement and a pivotal moment in automotive history, the widely shared photograph is not what it seems. Bertha Benz, a true pioneer, played a crucial role in validating her husband’s invention, the Benz Patent Motorwagen. Her daring journey, undertaken without Karl’s knowledge, proved the practicality of the automobile and led to numerous innovations, including the first petrol station (a pharmacy where she bought Ligroin). The story of her adventure is both fascinating and historically significant.
The Widely Shared Image: A Modern Misinterpretation
Upon closer inspection, discrepancies emerge that cast doubt on the photo’s authenticity. While initially appearing to be from the 19th century, subtle clues reveal its modern origin. One of the most telling giveaways is the footwear of the boy on the left. He is clearly wearing contemporary shoes with thick rubber soles – a far cry from the footwear of the late 1800s.
The costumes also appear somewhat unconvincing, further suggesting a more recent origin. This prompted an investigation to uncover the true story behind the photograph and debunk the false claims surrounding it.
Bertha Benz’s True First Car Adventure: A Milestone in Automotive History
Bertha Benz’s actual journey in 1888 was an act of incredible courage and ingenuity. Concerned about her husband Karl’s self-doubt regarding his invention, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Without informing Karl, Bertha, along with her sons Eugen and Richard, embarked on a journey from Mannheim to Pforzheim in the Benz First Car, the Patent Motorwagen. This wasn’t just a short drive; it was a roughly 106 km (66 miles) trip each way, over unpaved roads, and with a vehicle that was still in its early stages of development.
Her journey was fraught with challenges. She had to troubleshoot mechanical issues on the fly, using a hatpin to clear a fuel line and a garter to insulate a wire. Famously, she stopped at a pharmacy in Wiesloch to purchase Ligroin, which served as the gasoline for the first Benz car, effectively turning it into the world’s first petrol station. Bertha’s successful journey not only proved the viability of the automobile but also generated crucial publicity and feedback that spurred further development and refinement of the Benz Patent Motorwagen. This first car trip Benz undertook was a watershed moment, paving the way for the modern automotive era.
Tracing the Origins of the Misleading Photo
Determining the true origin of the misleading photograph required some detective work. Initially, even stock photo websites like Alamy seemed to perpetuate the misconception, incorrectly labeling the image as “Bertha Benz driving the Benz Patent Motorwagen 1886.”
Further investigation revealed that the photo, despite being used in some books and newspapers without proper context, is actually a modern re-enactment. Contacting the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive confirmed this. They clarified that the image is a scene from a movie or promotional material, depicting the “pioneers” pushing the vehicle, but not during the actual 1888 journey.
Ladenburg: The Real Location of the Re-enactment
The exact location of the photoshoot remained a mystery until online sleuths identified it as Ladenburg, Germany, a picturesque town near the ‘Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz’. Specific locations within Ladenburg were pinpointed, including Kirchenstraße 7, where the “pharmacy” scene was staged (actually the former orphanage), and Rheingaustraße 32, the location of the gate featured in another photo from the same shoot.
These discoveries highlight how easily misinformation can spread, even with seemingly credible sources using these staged images.
The Real Bertha Benz: A Glimpse into the Past
To truly appreciate Bertha Benz and her historical significance, it’s essential to look at authentic depictions of her. A photograph dating back to the 1870s offers a genuine glimpse of this remarkable woman.
This real portrait stands in stark contrast to the modern re-enactment photos, underscoring the importance of verifying the authenticity of historical images.
Model Kits and Misinformation
The extent of the misinformation is further illustrated by the existence of model kits based on these inaccurate re-enactment photos. It raises questions about whether the model kit manufacturers were aware that they were using a staged photograph as their reference.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the viral photograph is not a genuine image from Bertha Benz’s historic first car journey, it serves as a reminder of her incredible contribution to automotive history. Bertha Benz’s daring trip in the Benz first car was a pivotal moment, and understanding the true story behind it is far more compelling than perpetuating a misleading image. It is crucial to critically examine the images we encounter online and seek out accurate information to truly appreciate historical events and figures like Bertha Benz, a true pioneer of the automotive age and the Benz first car.
