The History of the German Automotive Giant Mercedes-Benz

The use of internal combustion engines in automobiles began in the 1880s. In 1883, Karl Benz, an entrepreneur, founded the Benz & Cie automotive company in Mannheim, Germany. A few years later, in 1890, Gottlieb Daimler established DMG (Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft) in Cannstatt. Independently, Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler founded these two automotive companies, laying the foundation for motorized road transportation worldwide. Both entrepreneurs chose to use their own surnames, Benz and Daimler, as brand names and invested their fortunes to ensure the global recognition of their brands.

The First Mercedes on the Roads

While the Benz brand endured, DMG underwent a transformation into the Mercedes brand in the early 1900s. The inspiration for this new brand came from Emil Jellinek, a businessman passionate about automobile racing. The name "Mercedes" was derived from Emil Jellinek's daughter, Mercedes, and it marked a significant turning point for the company.

The first car under the new Mercedes brand was delivered to Emil Jellinek in December 1900. It was developed by Wilhelm Maybach, the chief engineer of DMG, as a racing car. This initial Mercedes had a powerful 35-horsepower engine, which was considered quite strong for its time, combined with a lightweight design. This Mercedes car was a milestone in the history of automobiles because, despite its powerful engine, it had a lightweight structure.

Austrian Businessman Emil Jellinek and Mercedes

Emil Jellinek, an Austrian businessman, purchased his first Daimler brand car in 1897 and was highly satisfied with it. He not only used these vehicles personally but also marketed them to wealthy aristocrats and financiers in his circle. Emil Jellinek, who had a keen interest in automobile sports, used the name Mercedes for the first time in the races he participated in with Daimler cars. In 1900, he contacted Wilhelm Maybach, the chief engineer of DMG, to develop lightweight, safe, and fast cars for racing. Jellinek also signed a contract with DMG regarding the sale of these vehicles. The decision to use the name Mercedes for these cars was made as part of this agreement.

Emil Jellinek received the vehicle in December of the same year, and in 1901, he began to achieve great success in the automobile races he participated in. These successes quickly elevated the reputation of Mercedes vehicles worldwide. Due to the brand's growing prestige, the name Mercedes was officially registered as a trademark in 1902.

The Famous Mercedes Logo

DMG now had a successful and recognized brand name for its vehicles. However, the company had not yet established a logo that would befit its reputation and become synonymous with the brand. The logo that Mercedes still uses today was inspired by a letter from Gottlieb Daimler to his wife. Daimler added a star to the top of the house in the Deutz and Köln postcards mentioned in the letter and told his wife that this star, symbolizing success, would soon shine over his factory. Years later, in 1909, the three-pointed star symbol used by Mercedes today was officially registered as the brand's commercial logo. The three points of the star represented DMG's goal of producing motorized vehicles for land, air, and sea travel.