August Wilhelm Maybach - Revision history

Toro Andersen at 13:58, 22 March 2026

2026-03-22T13:58:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:58, 22 March 2026
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	{{DEFAULTSORT:Maybach, Wilhelm}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Maybach, Wilhelm}}
	[[Category:~~Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft~~]]		[[Category:Persons]]
	[[Category:~~Maybach\| ]]~~		[[Category:DE]]
	~~[[Category:Mercedes-Benz]]~~
	~~[[Category:People associated with the internal combustion engine~~]]

Toro Andersen at 18:32, 12 May 2025

2025-05-12T18:32:27Z

Show changes

Toro Andersen: /* Daimler's "pact with the devil", DMG, and the Phoenix engine (1890 to 1900) */

2025-04-12T10:37:39Z

Daimler's "pact with the devil", DMG, and the Phoenix engine (1890 to 1900)

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:37, 12 April 2025
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	In 1890, Daimler and Maybach together founded the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, the Daimler Motor Corporation or DMG for short, which was dedicated to the construction of small high-speed internal combustion engines for land, water, or air transport. Maybach was Chief Designer. After spending long hours debating which fuel was best to use in Otto's four-stroke engine, which had normally used [[methane\|methane gas]] as a fuel, they turned to petroleum which until then had been used mainly as a cleaner and sold in pharmacies.		In 1890, Daimler and Maybach together founded the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, the Daimler Motor Corporation or DMG for short, which was dedicated to the construction of small high-speed internal combustion engines for land, water, or air transport. Maybach was Chief Designer. After spending long hours debating which fuel was best to use in Otto's four-stroke engine, which had normally used [[methane\|methane gas]] as a fuel, they turned to petroleum which until then had been used mainly as a cleaner and sold in pharmacies.

	The company's re-foundation took place on 28 November 1890. This has been regarded as a "pact with the devil" by some German historians~~,<ref>~~		The company's re-foundation took place on 28 November 1890. This has been regarded as a "pact with the devil" by some German historians as the following decade was chaotic for Daimler and Maybach. DMG continued to expand, selling engines from Moscow to New York, and additional stationary engine-making capacity was added, but the belief continued that automobile production would not be profitable. The new chairmen planned to merge ''DMG'' and ''Deutz-AG'', in spite of Daimler's disagreement with Nicolaus Otto.
	~~{{cite web~~
	~~\| author=Zeit~~
	~~\| title= momente der entscheidung: Der Tüftler im Glashaus \| Wirtschaft \| ZEIT ONLINE~~
	~~\| publisher= Zeus.zeit.de~~
	~~\| url= http://zeus.zeit.de/text/2004/15/M-Daimler~~
	~~\| access-date=13 August 2010~~
	~~\| language= de~~
	}}
	~~</ref>~~
	as the following decade was chaotic for Daimler and Maybach. DMG continued to expand, selling engines from Moscow to New York, and additional stationary engine-making capacity was added, but the belief continued that automobile production would not be profitable. The new chairmen planned to merge ''DMG'' and ''Deutz-AG'', in spite of Daimler's disagreement with Nicolaus Otto.

	Gottlieb Daimler and Chief Engineer Maybach preferred to produce automobiles and reacted against Duttenhofer and Lorenz in particular. Maybach was rejected as a member of the Board of Management and left the company on 11 February 1891, and continued his design work from his own house, financed by Daimler. In late 1892, he set up a shop in the ballroom of the former Hermann Hotel and Winter Garden where he employed 17 workers, five of which were paid by Daimler.		Gottlieb Daimler and Chief Engineer Maybach preferred to produce automobiles and reacted against Duttenhofer and Lorenz in particular. Maybach was rejected as a member of the Board of Management and left the company on 11 February 1891, and continued his design work from his own house, financed by Daimler. In late 1892, he set up a shop in the ballroom of the former Hermann Hotel and Winter Garden where he employed 17 workers, five of which were paid by Daimler.
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	Maybach patented more automobile inventions, including:		Maybach patented more automobile inventions, including:
	* a revolutionary cooling system, tubular [[radiator (engine cooling)\|radiator]] with fan		* a revolutionary cooling system, tubular [[radiator (engine cooling)\|radiator]] with fan
	* the honeycomb radiator~~<ref>[http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-Mercedes-35-hp.htm Mercedes 35 hp<!-- bot-generated title -->] at www.seriouswheels.com</ref>~~		* the honeycomb radiator

	Around this time though Maybach suffered two setbacks. His teenage second son, Adolf, suffered a [[schizophrenia]] attack and spent the rest of his life in various mental institutions. (In 1940, his son was murdered by the [[National Socialist German Workers Party\|Nazis]] as part of the [[T-4 Euthanasia Program\|Euthanasia Program]].) In 1900, Gottlieb Daimler died of heart disease.		Around this time though Maybach suffered two setbacks. His teenage second son, Adolf, suffered a [[schizophrenia]] attack and spent the rest of his life in various mental institutions. (In 1940, his son was murdered by the [[National Socialist German Workers Party\|Nazis]] as part of the [[T-4 Euthanasia Program\|Euthanasia Program]].) In 1900, Gottlieb Daimler died of heart disease.
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	* 4-wheel brakes		* 4-wheel brakes
	* new transmission system		* new transmission system
	* maximum speed of ~~{{convert\|~~105\|km/h~~\|mi/h\|0\|abbr=on}}~~		* maximum speed of 105 km/h
	It was produced until 1928, selling 300 units, mostly with sedan bodies; the two-seat sport version was less successful. The Maybach W5 followed, with the top speed increased to ~~{{convert\|~~135\|km/h~~\|mi/h\|0\|abbr=on}};~~ 250 units sold in 1927 and 1929.		It was produced until 1928, selling 300 units, mostly with sedan bodies; the two-seat sport version was less successful. The Maybach W5 followed, with the top speed increased to 135 km/h 250 units sold in 1927 and 1929.
	[[File:Maybach Zeppelin DS 8, 1938-39 - DSC06774.JPG\|thumb\|Maybach Zeppelin DS 8, 1938–39, exhibited in the Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen, Seestraße 22, Friedrichshafen, Germany]]		[[File:Maybach Zeppelin DS 8, 1938-39 - DSC06774.JPG\|thumb\|Maybach Zeppelin DS 8, 1938–39, exhibited in the Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen, Seestraße 22, Friedrichshafen, Germany]]
	Next Maybach produced the V12 car:		Next Maybach produced the V12 car:
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	* light alloy pistons		* light alloy pistons
	* 7-litre capacity		* 7-litre capacity
	* high torque and power – ~~{{convert\|~~150\|hp~~\|abbr=on}}~~ at 2,800 rpm		* high torque and power – 150 hp at 2,800 rpm
	Only a few dozen were sold due to the German postwar economic crisis. In 1930, its successor, the DS7-Zeppelin, also featured a 12-cylinder engine of 7 liters.		Only a few dozen were sold due to the German postwar economic crisis. In 1930, its successor, the DS7-Zeppelin, also featured a 12-cylinder engine of 7 liters.

	In August 1929, the Zeppelin LZ-127 used five Maybach-V12 petrol engines of ~~{{convert\|~~550~~\|hp\|abbr=on}}~~ each.		In August 1929, the Zeppelin LZ-127 used five Maybach-V12 petrol engines of 550 Hp each.

	Neither Wilhelm nor Karl owned a Maybach automobile.~~<ref>Neiman, Dr. Harry. "Wilhelm Maybach The Father of the Mercedes"(1996). p. 154. Mercedes-Benz AG: Stuttgart-Unterturkheim, Max-Gerrit von Pein. {{ISBN\|978-3-613-01717-7}}</ref>~~ Wilhelm never even owned a car. "He, who created the basics for the modern automobilism, rarely utilized a car for his personal purposes. He walked or took the tram. Although he could have afforded one, he did not own a car."~~<ref>Rathke, Karl. "Wilhelm Maybach – von der Pferdekutsche zum Mercedes-Wagen"</ref>~~		Neither Wilhelm nor Karl owned a Maybach automobile. Wilhelm never even owned a car. "He, who created the basics for the modern automobilism, rarely utilized a car for his personal purposes. He walked or took the tram. Although he could have afforded one, he did not own a car."

	Wilhelm Maybach died at the age of 83 in [[Stuttgart]] on 29 December 1929.		Wilhelm Maybach died at the age of 83 in Stuttgart on 29 December 1929.

	==Maybach Motorenbau GmbH==		==Maybach Motorenbau GmbH==
	His business, Maybach Motorenbau GmbH, continued in [[Friedrichshafen]] under his son [[Karl Maybach]]. From around 1935 Maybach made and designed almost all [[List of WWII Maybach engines\|the engines for tanks and half-tracks]] used by the German armed forces during World War 2. After 1945 it manufactured a full range of diesel engines. In the early 1960s Maybach began to construct large Daimler-Benz engines in Friedrichshafen under a licence agreement<ref>Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft. ''The Times'', Saturday, 8 September 1962; pg. 13; Issue 55491</ref> and entered close collaboration with Daimler-Benz.<ref>Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft. ''The Times'', Thursday, 24 October 1963; pg. 21; Issue 55840</ref>		His business, Maybach Motorenbau GmbH, continued in Friedrichshafen under his son [[Karl Maybach]]. From around 1935 Maybach made and designed almost all [[List of WWII Maybach engines\|the engines for tanks and half-tracks]] used by the German armed forces during World War 2. After 1945 it manufactured a full range of diesel engines. In the early 1960s Maybach began to construct large Daimler-Benz engines in Friedrichshafen under a licence agreement<ref>Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft. ''The Times'', Saturday, 8 September 1962; pg. 13; Issue 55491</ref> and entered close collaboration with Daimler-Benz.<ref>Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft. ''The Times'', Thursday, 24 October 1963; pg. 21; Issue 55840</ref>

	During the mid 1960s Maybach Motorenbau GmbH became Maybach Mercedes-Benz Motorenbau GmbH and 83 percent owned by Daimler-Benz.~~<ref>Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft. ''The Times'', Monday, 25 September 1967; pg. 22; Issue 57055</ref>~~		During the mid 1960s Maybach Motorenbau GmbH became Maybach Mercedes-Benz Motorenbau GmbH and 83 percent owned by Daimler-Benz.

	In 1998 Mercedes-Benz announced what would prove to be a temporary revival of the Maybach brand for automobiles.<ref>BMW secures Rolls-Royce marque in deal with rival. ''The Times'', Wednesday, 29 July 1998; pg. 23; Issue 66266</ref> Daimler AG currently produces an ultra luxury edition of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class under the Mercedes-Maybach brand.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2022-05-27 \|title=How Mercedes-Benz plans to 'restart' Maybach ultraluxury brand \|url=https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/how-mercedes-benz-plans-restart-maybach-ultraluxury-brand \|access-date=2022-11-10 \|website=Automotive News Europe \|language=en}}</ref>		In 1998 Mercedes-Benz announced what would prove to be a temporary revival of the Maybach brand for automobiles.<ref>BMW secures Rolls-Royce marque in deal with rival. ''The Times'', Wednesday, 29 July 1998; pg. 23; Issue 66266</ref> Daimler AG currently produces an ultra luxury edition of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class under the Mercedes-Maybach brand.

	==Legacy==		==Legacy==
	* Wilhelm Maybach was accepted into the [[Automotive Hall of Fame]] in 1996.		* Wilhelm Maybach was accepted into the [[Automotive Hall of Fame]] in 1996.
	* Three technical Schools in Germany are named ''Wilhelm Maybach'': Stuttgart, [[Heilbronn]], and [[Berlin]]-[[Spandau]].		* Three technical Schools in Germany are named ''Wilhelm Maybach'': Stuttgart, Heilbronn, and [[Berlin]]-Spandau.
	* In 2002, [[Daimler AG]] began to produce models under the Maybach name.		* In 2002, [[Daimler AG]] began to produce models under the Maybach name.
	* In 2005, in honor of his grandfather Karl and his great-grandfather Wilhelm, [[Ulrich Schmid-Maybach]] founded the [[Maybach Foundation\|Wilhelm and Karl Maybach Foundation]].<ref name="worth">Ryono, Debra. The Maybach Hybrid. worth.com. 4 January 2009. http://www.worth.com/Editorial/Thought-Leaders/Profiles/Profile-Maybach-April-May08.asp. Accessed: 2009-01-04. (Archived by WebCite at https://www.webcitation.org/5daklZV1p)</ref>		* In 2005, in honor of his grandfather Karl and his great-grandfather Wilhelm, [[Ulrich Schmid-Maybach]] founded the [[Maybach Foundation\|Wilhelm and Karl Maybach Foundation]].<ref name="worth">Ryono, Debra. The Maybach Hybrid. worth.com. 4 January 2009. http://www.worth.com/Editorial/Thought-Leaders/Profiles/Profile-Maybach-April-May08.asp. Accessed: 2009-01-04. (Archived by WebCite at https://www.webcitation.org/5daklZV1p)</ref>

Toro Andersen at 10:29, 12 April 2025

2025-04-12T10:29:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:29, 12 April 2025
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			(From Wikipedia)

	'''August Wilhelm Maybach''' (Born 9 February 1846 – Died 29 December 1929) was an early German engine designer and industrialist. During the 1890s he was hailed in France, then the world centre for car production, as the "King of Designers".		'''August Wilhelm Maybach''' (Born 9 February 1846 – Died 29 December 1929) was an early German engine designer and industrialist. During the 1890s he was hailed in France, then the world centre for car production, as the "King of Designers".
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	From the late 19th century Wilhelm Maybach, together with [[Gottlieb Daimler]], developed light, high-speed internal combustion engines suitable for land, water, and air use. These were fitted to the world's first motorcycle, motorboat, and after Daimler's death, a new automobile introduced in late 1902, the Mercedes model, built to the specifications of [[Emil Jellinek]].		From the late 19th century Wilhelm Maybach, together with [[Gottlieb Daimler]], developed light, high-speed internal combustion engines suitable for land, water, and air use. These were fitted to the world's first motorcycle, motorboat, and after Daimler's death, a new automobile introduced in late 1902, the Mercedes model, built to the specifications of [[Emil Jellinek]].

	Maybach rose to become technical director of the [[Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft]] (DMG) but did not get along with its chairmen. As a result, Maybach left DMG in 1907 to found [[Maybach\|Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH]] together with his son Karl in 1909; they manufactured [[Zeppelin]] engines. After the signing of the [[Versailles Treaty]] in 1919 the company started producing large luxury vehicles, branded as "Maybach". He died in 1929 and was succeeded by his son [[Karl Maybach]]. From around 1936 Maybach-Motorenbau designed and made almost all the engines fitted in German tanks and half-tracks used during World War 2, including those for the [[Panther ~~(tank)\|Panther]]~~, [[Tiger I]] and [[Tiger II~~]] [[~~heavy ~~tank]]s~~.		Maybach rose to become technical director of the [[Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft]] (DMG) but did not get along with its chairmen. As a result, Maybach left DMG in 1907 to found [[Maybach\|Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH]] together with his son Karl in 1909; they manufactured [[Zeppelin]] engines. After the signing of the Versailles Treaty in 1919 the company started producing large luxury vehicles, branded as "Maybach". He died in 1929 and was succeeded by his son [[Karl Maybach]]. From around 1936 Maybach-Motorenbau designed and made almost all the engines fitted in German tanks and half-tracks used during World War 2, including those for the Panther, Tiger I and Tiger II heavy tanks.

	Continuing after the war, Maybach Motorenbau remained a subsidiary of [[Luftschiffbau Zeppelin]], making diesel engines. During the 1960s Maybach came under the control of Daimler-Benz and was renamed [[MTU Friedrichshafen]].		Continuing after the war, Maybach Motorenbau remained a subsidiary of [[Luftschiffbau Zeppelin]], making diesel engines. During the 1960s Maybach came under the control of Daimler-Benz and was renamed [[MTU Friedrichshafen]].

	In 2002 the ''Maybach'' brand name was revived for a luxury make but it was not successful. On 25 November 2011 Daimler-Benz announced they would cease producing automobiles under the ''Maybach'' brand name in 2013.~~<ref>~~		In 2002 the ''Maybach'' brand name was revived for a luxury make but it was not successful. On 25 November 2011 Daimler-Benz announced they would cease producing automobiles under the ''Maybach'' brand name in 2013.In 2014, Daimler announced production of an ultra-luxury edition of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class under the new Mercedes-Maybach brand.
	~~{{cite web~~
	~~\| last= Johnson~~
	~~\| first= Drew~~
	~~\| url= http://www.leftlanenews.com/daimler-to-rule-on-future-of-maybach-next-month.html~~
	~~\| title= Daimler to rule on future of Maybach next month~~
	~~\| publisher= Leftlanenews.com~~
	~~\| date= 13 June 2011~~
	~~\| access-date= 23 November 2011~~
	}}
	~~</ref>~~
	In 2014, Daimler announced production of an ultra-luxury edition of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class under the new Mercedes-Maybach brand.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-11/mercedes-revives-maybach-name-to-challenge-rolls-royce.html \|work=Bloomberg \|first=Dorothee \|last=Tschampa \|title=Mercedes Revives Maybach Name to Challenge Rolls-Royce \|date=11 November 2014}}</ref>

	== Early life and career beginnings (1846 to 1869) ==		== Early life and career beginnings (1846 to 1869) ==
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	Wilhelm Maybach was born in Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, in 1846, the son of a carpenter and his wife Luise. He had four brothers. When he was eight years old the family moved from Löwenstein near Heilbronn to Stuttgart. His mother died in 1854 and his father in 1856.		Wilhelm Maybach was born in Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, in 1846, the son of a carpenter and his wife Luise. He had four brothers. When he was eight years old the family moved from Löwenstein near Heilbronn to Stuttgart. His mother died in 1854 and his father in 1856.

	After his relatives published an announcement in the ''Stuttgarter Anzeiger'' newspaper, a philanthropic institution at Reutlingen took in Maybach as a student. Its founder and director, [[:de:Gustav Werner\|Gustav Werner]], discovered Maybach's technical inclination and helped to stimulate his career by sending him to the school's engineering workshop. At 15 years old (1861), Maybach was heading for a career in [[Industrial design]] and took extra classes in physics and mathematics at Reutlingen's public high school.		After his relatives published an announcement in the ''Stuttgarter Anzeiger'' newspaper, a philanthropic institution at Reutlingen took in Maybach as a student. Its founder and director, [[:de:Gustav Werner\|Gustav Werner]], discovered Maybach's technical inclination and helped to stimulate his career by sending him to the school's engineering workshop. At 15 years old (1861), Maybach was heading for a career in Industrial design and took extra classes in physics and mathematics at Reutlingen's public high school.

	By the time he was 19 years old, he was a qualified designer working on stationary engines. His workshop manager, Gottlieb Daimler, then 29, noticed his efforts and took him on as his main assistant, a post he held until Daimler's death in 1900.		By the time he was 19 years old, he was a qualified designer working on stationary engines. His workshop manager, Gottlieb Daimler, then 29, noticed his efforts and took him on as his main assistant, a post he held until Daimler's death in 1900.
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	==The Daimler engine==		==The Daimler engine==
	In late 1883, Daimler and Maybach patented the first of their engines fueled by [[Ligroin]]. This engine was patented on 16 December 1883. It achieved Daimler's goal of being small and running fast enough to be useful at 750 [[Revolutions per minute\|rpm]] (soon after up to 900). Daimler had three engines built in 1884. Maybach persuaded him to put one in a vehicle, the result being the ''[[Reitwagen]]''.<ref name="Dreams to Automobiles">{{cite book\|last1=Larson\|first1=Len\|title=Dreams to Automobiles\|date=4 December 2008\|publisher=Xlibris\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zSCLAAAAQBAJ&q=1883+daimler+dream+engine&pg=PT181\|isbn=978-1-4691-0104-0}}{{self-published source\|date=December 2017}}</ref>{{Self-published inline\|certain=yes\|date=December 2017}}<ref name=Haug>{{cite book\|last1=Haug\|first1=Gunter\|title=Gottlieb Daimler - Der Traum vom Fahren: Historischer Roman\|date=15 August 2010\|publisher=Masken-Verlag Friedrich Willmann\|isbn=978-3-939500-27-8}}</ref>		In late 1883, Daimler and Maybach patented the first of their engines fueled by [[Ligroin]]. This engine was patented on 16 December 1883. It achieved Daimler's goal of being small and running fast enough to be useful at 750 [[Revolutions per minute\|rpm]] (soon after up to 900). Daimler had three engines built in 1884. Maybach persuaded him to put one in a vehicle, the result being the ''[[Reitwagen]]''.

	In 1884, Maybach's second son Adolf was born.		In 1884, Maybach's second son Adolf was born.
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	Daimler baptized it the ''Standuhr'' (lit. [[Longcase clock\|"grandfather clock"]]), because of its resemblance to a [[pendulum clock]].		Daimler baptized it the ''Standuhr'' (lit. [[Longcase clock\|"grandfather clock"]]), because of its resemblance to a [[pendulum clock]].

	In November 1885, Daimler installed a smaller version of the engine onto a wooden bicycle, creating the first motorcycle (patent 36-423 – Vehicle with gas or petroleum engine), and Maybach drove it three kilometers from Cannstatt to [[Untertürkheim]], reaching ~~{{convert\|~~12\|km/h~~\|abbr=on}}~~. It became known as the [[Daimler Reitwagen\|''Reitwagen'']].		In November 1885, Daimler installed a smaller version of the engine onto a wooden bicycle, creating the first motorcycle (patent 36-423 – Vehicle with gas or petroleum engine), and Maybach drove it three kilometers from Cannstatt to Untertürkheim, reaching 12 km/h. It became known as the [[Daimler Reitwagen\|''Reitwagen'']].

	On 8 March 1886, the inventors bought an American model coach built by Wilhelm Wimpff & Sohn, telling the neighbors that it was a birthday gift for Mrs. Daimler. Maybach supervised the installation of an enlarged 1.5 hp Grandfather Clock engine onto the coach, and installed a [[belt drive]] to the wheels. The vehicle reached ~~{{convert\|~~15\|km/h~~\|abbr=on}}~~ when tested on the road to Untertürkheim.~~<ref>{{Cite web \| url=https://mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com/marsPublic/en/instance/ko/Daimler-motor-carriage-1886.xhtml?oid=5903 \| title=Daimler motor carriage, 1886}}</ref>~~		On 8 March 1886, the inventors bought an American model coach built by Wilhelm Wimpff & Sohn, telling the neighbors that it was a birthday gift for Mrs. Daimler. Maybach supervised the installation of an enlarged 1.5 hp Grandfather Clock engine onto the coach, and installed a [[belt drive]] to the wheels. The vehicle reached 15 km/h when tested on the road to Untertürkheim.

	Maybach and Daimler went on to prove the engine in many other ways, including:		Maybach and Daimler went on to prove the engine in many other ways, including:
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	* In 2002, [[Daimler AG]] began to produce models under the Maybach name.		* In 2002, [[Daimler AG]] began to produce models under the Maybach name.
	* In 2005, in honor of his grandfather Karl and his great-grandfather Wilhelm, [[Ulrich Schmid-Maybach]] founded the [[Maybach Foundation\|Wilhelm and Karl Maybach Foundation]].<ref name="worth">Ryono, Debra. The Maybach Hybrid. worth.com. 4 January 2009. http://www.worth.com/Editorial/Thought-Leaders/Profiles/Profile-Maybach-April-May08.asp. Accessed: 2009-01-04. (Archived by WebCite at https://www.webcitation.org/5daklZV1p)</ref>		* In 2005, in honor of his grandfather Karl and his great-grandfather Wilhelm, [[Ulrich Schmid-Maybach]] founded the [[Maybach Foundation\|Wilhelm and Karl Maybach Foundation]].<ref name="worth">Ryono, Debra. The Maybach Hybrid. worth.com. 4 January 2009. http://www.worth.com/Editorial/Thought-Leaders/Profiles/Profile-Maybach-April-May08.asp. Accessed: 2009-01-04. (Archived by WebCite at https://www.webcitation.org/5daklZV1p)</ref>

	~~==See also==~~
	* [[Mercedes Simplex]]
	* [[Mercedes-Benz]]
	* [[German inventors and discoverers]]

	~~==Notes==~~
	~~{{reflist\|30em}}~~

	==External links==		==External links==
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	{{DEFAULTSORT:Maybach, Wilhelm}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Maybach, Wilhelm}}
	~~[[Category:1846 births]]~~
	~~[[Category:1929 deaths]]~~
	~~[[Category:People from Heilbronn]]~~
	~~[[Category:German automotive pioneers]]~~
	~~[[Category:Engineers from Baden-Württemberg]]~~
	~~[[Category:19th-century German inventors]]~~
	~~[[Category:German founders of automobile manufacturers]]~~
	~~[[Category:German industrialists]]~~
	~~[[Category:19th-century German businesspeople]]~~
	~~[[Category:20th-century German businesspeople]]~~
	[[Category:Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft]]		[[Category:Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft]]
	[[Category:Maybach\| ]]		[[Category:Maybach\| ]]
	[[Category:Mercedes-Benz]]		[[Category:Mercedes-Benz]]
	[[Category:People associated with the internal combustion engine]]		[[Category:People associated with the internal combustion engine]]
	~~[[Category:People from the Kingdom of Württemberg]]~~
	~~[[Category:19th-century German engineers]]~~
	~~[[Category:20th-century German engineers]]~~

Toro Andersen at 10:21, 12 April 2025

2025-04-12T10:21:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:21, 12 April 2025
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	~~{{short description\|German engine designer and industrialist}}~~
	~~{{Infobox person~~
	~~\| name = Wilhelm Maybach~~
	~~\| image = Wilhelm-maybach-1900.jpg~~
	~~\| alt = Black-and-white photo of a middle-aged man with a beard and moustache~~
	~~\| caption = Maybach in 1900~~
	~~\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1846\|2\|9\|df=y}}~~
	~~\| birth_place = [[Heilbronn]], [[Kingdom of Württemberg\|Württemberg]], [[German Confederation]]~~
	~~\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1929\|12\|29\|1846\|2\|9\|df=y}}~~
	~~\| death_place = [[Stuttgart]], Germany~~
	~~\| other_names =~~
	~~\| occupation = Engineer and industrialist~~
	~~\| known_for = [[Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft]], [[Maybach\|Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH]]~~
	}}

	'''Wilhelm Maybach''' ({{IPA\|de\|ˈvɪlhɛlm ˈmaɪbax\|lang\|Wilhelm Maybach.ogg}}; 9 February 1846 – 29 December 1929) was an early German engine designer and industrialist. During the 1890s he was hailed in France, then the world centre for car production, as the "King of Designers".

	From the late 19th century Wilhelm Maybach, together with [[Gottlieb Daimler]], developed light, high-speed [[internal combustion ~~engine]]s~~ suitable for land, water, and air use. These were fitted to the world's first motorcycle, motorboat, and after Daimler's death, a new automobile introduced in late 1902, the [[Mercedes ~~(car)\|Mercedes]]~~ model, built to the specifications of [[Emil Jellinek]].		'''August Wilhelm Maybach''' (Born 9 February 1846 – Died 29 December 1929) was an early German engine designer and industrialist. During the 1890s he was hailed in France, then the world centre for car production, as the "King of Designers".

			From the late 19th century Wilhelm Maybach, together with [[Gottlieb Daimler]], developed light, high-speed internal combustion engines suitable for land, water, and air use. These were fitted to the world's first motorcycle, motorboat, and after Daimler's death, a new automobile introduced in late 1902, the Mercedes model, built to the specifications of [[Emil Jellinek]].

	Maybach rose to become technical director of the [[Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft]] (DMG) but did not get along with its chairmen. As a result, Maybach left DMG in 1907 to found [[Maybach\|Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH]] together with his son Karl in 1909; they manufactured [[Zeppelin]] engines. After the signing of the [[Versailles Treaty]] in 1919 the company started producing large luxury vehicles, branded as "Maybach". He died in 1929 and was succeeded by his son [[Karl Maybach]]. From around 1936 Maybach-Motorenbau designed and made almost all the engines fitted in German tanks and half-tracks used during World War 2, including those for the [[Panther (tank)\|Panther]], [[Tiger I]] and [[Tiger II]] [[heavy tank]]s.		Maybach rose to become technical director of the [[Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft]] (DMG) but did not get along with its chairmen. As a result, Maybach left DMG in 1907 to found [[Maybach\|Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH]] together with his son Karl in 1909; they manufactured [[Zeppelin]] engines. After the signing of the [[Versailles Treaty]] in 1919 the company started producing large luxury vehicles, branded as "Maybach". He died in 1929 and was succeeded by his son [[Karl Maybach]]. From around 1936 Maybach-Motorenbau designed and made almost all the engines fitted in German tanks and half-tracks used during World War 2, including those for the [[Panther (tank)\|Panther]], [[Tiger I]] and [[Tiger II]] [[heavy tank]]s.
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	== Early life and career beginnings (1846 to 1869) ==		== Early life and career beginnings (1846 to 1869) ==

	Wilhelm Maybach was born in [[Heilbronn]], Baden-Württemberg, in 1846, the son of a carpenter and his wife Luise. He had four brothers. When he was eight years old the family moved from [[Löwenstein]] near Heilbronn to [[Stuttgart]]. His mother died in 1854 and his father in 1856.		Wilhelm Maybach was born in Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, in 1846, the son of a carpenter and his wife Luise. He had four brothers. When he was eight years old the family moved from Löwenstein near Heilbronn to Stuttgart. His mother died in 1854 and his father in 1856.

	After his relatives published an announcement in the ''Stuttgarter Anzeiger'' newspaper, a philanthropic institution at [[Reutlingen]] took in Maybach as a student. Its founder and director, [[:de:Gustav Werner\|Gustav Werner]], discovered Maybach's technical inclination and helped to stimulate his career by sending him to the school's engineering workshop. At 15 years old (1861), Maybach was heading for a career in [[Industrial design]] and took extra classes in physics and mathematics at Reutlingen's public high school.		After his relatives published an announcement in the ''Stuttgarter Anzeiger'' newspaper, a philanthropic institution at Reutlingen took in Maybach as a student. Its founder and director, [[:de:Gustav Werner\|Gustav Werner]], discovered Maybach's technical inclination and helped to stimulate his career by sending him to the school's engineering workshop. At 15 years old (1861), Maybach was heading for a career in [[Industrial design]] and took extra classes in physics and mathematics at Reutlingen's public high school.

	By the time he was 19 years old, he was a qualified designer working on stationary engines. His workshop manager, Gottlieb Daimler, then 29, noticed his efforts and took him on as his main assistant, a post he held until Daimler's death in 1900.		By the time he was 19 years old, he was a qualified designer working on stationary engines. His workshop manager, Gottlieb Daimler, then 29, noticed his efforts and took him on as his main assistant, a post he held until Daimler's death in 1900.
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	==Daimler and Otto's four-stroke engine (1869 to 1880)==		==Daimler and Otto's four-stroke engine (1869 to 1880)==

	In 1869, Maybach followed Daimler to [[Maschinenbau-Gesellschaft Karlsruhe AG]] in [[Karlsruhe]], a manufacturer of heavy locomotives. Daimler was on the Executive Committee and they spent long nights discussing new designs for engines, pumps, lumber machinery, and metalworking.		In 1869, Maybach followed Daimler to [[Maschinenbau-Gesellschaft Karlsruhe AG]] in Karlsruhe, a manufacturer of heavy locomotives. Daimler was on the Executive Committee and they spent long nights discussing new designs for engines, pumps, lumber machinery, and metalworking.

	In 1872, Daimler moved to [[Deutz AG\|Deutz-AG-Gasmotorenfabrik]] in [[Cologne]], then the world's largest manufacturer of stationary gas engines. [[Nicolaus Otto]], part owner of the company, focused on engine development with Daimler. Maybach joined them as Chief Designer.		In 1872, Daimler moved to [[Deutz AG\|Deutz-AG-Gasmotorenfabrik]] in Cologne, then the world's largest manufacturer of stationary gas engines. [[Nicolaus Otto]], part owner of the company, focused on engine development with Daimler. Maybach joined them as Chief Designer.

	In 1876, Nicolaus Otto patented the [[Otto cycle]] engine. It was a [[four-stroke cycle]] gas internal combustion engine with intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes. One of Otto's more than 25 patents on this engine was later challenged and overturned, allowing Daimler and Maybach to produce their high-speed engine.~~{{clarify\|reason=Whose patent was overturned? Otto held it as company co-owner, or as actual developer of the item? I.e., was it the work of Otto, Otto and Maybach, a team,...?\|date=May 2021}}~~		In 1876, Nicolaus Otto patented the [[Otto cycle]] engine. It was a [[four-stroke cycle]] gas internal combustion engine with intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes. One of Otto's more than 25 patents on this engine was later challenged and overturned, allowing Daimler and Maybach to produce their high-speed engine.

	Also in 1876, Maybach was sent to show Deutz's engines at the ~~[[World Fair\|~~Philadelphia World's Fair (USA)]]. On returning to Cologne in 1877, he concentrated on improving the four-stroke design to prepare it for its impending commercial launch.		Also in 1876, Maybach was sent to show Deutz's engines at the Philadelphia World's Fair (USA). On returning to Cologne in 1877, he concentrated on improving the four-stroke design to prepare it for its impending commercial launch.

	In 1878, Maybach married Bertha Wilhelmine Habermaas, a friend of Daimler's wife, Emma Kunz. Her family members were landowners who ran the post office in [[Maulbronn]]. On 6 July 1879 Karl Maybach was born, the first of their three children.		In 1878, Maybach married Bertha Wilhelmine Habermaas, a friend of Daimler's wife, Emma Kunz. Her family members were landowners who ran the post office in Maulbronn. On 6 July 1879 Karl Maybach was born, the first of their three children.

	In 1880, Daimler and Otto had serious disagreements, resulting in Daimler's leaving Deutz-AG. Daimler received 112,000 ~~[[German gold mark\|~~goldmarks]] in Deutz-AG shares as compensation for patents granted to him and Maybach. Maybach also left shortly afterwards, and followed his friend to found a new company in [[Cannstatt]].		In 1880, Daimler and Otto had serious disagreements, resulting in Daimler's leaving Deutz-AG. Daimler received 112,000 goldmarks in Deutz-AG shares as compensation for patents granted to him and Maybach. Maybach also left shortly afterwards, and followed his friend to found a new company in Cannstatt.

	==Daimler Motors: fast and small engines (1882)==		==Daimler Motors: fast and small engines (1882)==
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	==Bibliography==		==Bibliography==
	* {{cite book \|last1=Kirchberg \|first1=Peter \|last2=Wächtler \|first2=Eberhard \|title=Carl Benz Gottlieb Daimler Wilhelm Maybach \|series=Biographien hevorragender Naturwissenschaftler, Techniker und Mediziner series, Vol 52 \|date=1981 \|publisher=Vieweg Verlag \|location=Wiesbaden \|isbn=9783322822185 \|language=de \|edition=2nd}}
	* Niemann, Harry: Mythos Maybach, 4. Aufl., Stuttgart 2002		* Niemann, Harry: Mythos Maybach, 4. Aufl., Stuttgart 2002
	* Niemann, Harry: Maybach – der Vater des Mercedes, 3. Aufl., Stuttgart 2000		* Niemann, Harry: Maybach – der Vater des Mercedes, 3. Aufl., Stuttgart 2000
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	* Rauck, Max J.: Wilhelm Maybach: der grosse Automobilkonstrukteur. Baar 1979.		* Rauck, Max J.: Wilhelm Maybach: der grosse Automobilkonstrukteur. Baar 1979.
	* Dokumentarfilm im Auftrag der Mercedes-Benz AG 1995: [https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=ddmfmctb_88d85bf3hc&hl=en/ Wilhelm Maybach – König der Konstrukteure]		* Dokumentarfilm im Auftrag der Mercedes-Benz AG 1995: [https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=ddmfmctb_88d85bf3hc&hl=en/ Wilhelm Maybach – König der Konstrukteure]

	~~{{Early motorcycles}}~~
	~~{{Maybach}}~~
	~~{{Mercedes-Benz Corporation}}~~
	~~{{Daimler AG}}~~
	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Maybach, Wilhelm}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Maybach, Wilhelm}}

Toro Andersen at 10:12, 12 April 2025

2025-04-12T10:12:11Z

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Toro Andersen: Created page with "Karl Maybach was born on July 6, 1879, in Cologne-Deutz. The son of the engineer Wilhelm Maybach and his wife Bertha Wilhelmine, daughter of the postmaster and innkeeper Karl Gottfried Habermass. The Maybach family had been based in Löwenstein near Heilbronn since the 16th century. The death of a Michael Maybach was documented as early as 1628. Christian Karl Maybach, Wilhelm Maybach's father and Karl Maybach's grandfather, was born in Löwenstein near Heilbronn in 18..."

2025-04-12T10:09:42Z

Created page with "Karl Maybach was born on July 6, 1879, in Cologne-Deutz. The son of the engineer Wilhelm Maybach and his wife Bertha Wilhelmine, daughter of the postmaster and innkeeper Karl Gottfried Habermass. The Maybach family had been based in Löwenstein near Heilbronn since the 16th century. The death of a Michael Maybach was documented as early as 1628. Christian Karl Maybach, Wilhelm Maybach's father and Karl Maybach's grandfather, was born in Löwenstein near Heilbronn in 18..."

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Karl Maybach was born on July 6, 1879, in Cologne-Deutz.

The son of the engineer Wilhelm Maybach and his wife Bertha Wilhelmine, daughter of the postmaster and innkeeper Karl Gottfried Habermass.

The Maybach family had been based in Löwenstein near Heilbronn since the 16th century. The death of a Michael Maybach was documented as early as 1628. Christian Karl Maybach, Wilhelm Maybach's father and Karl Maybach's grandfather, was born in Löwenstein near Heilbronn in 1813. However, the trained carpenter died in an accident in 1856. This left his five sons, including Wilhelm, born in Heilbronn on February 9, 1846, orphans, as their mother, Luise Barbara, had died three years earlier, in 1853.

Friends of the family sought help for the children through an appeal to "noble philanthropists" in the "Stuttgarter Anzeiger." On March 20, 1856, the newspaper published an appeal with a "heartfelt request to charitable people to take care of five poor, fatherless and motherless boys between the ages of twelve and four through donations of love." The children were soon placed; Wilhelm was taken in at the Reutlingen Brotherhood House – by Gustav Albert Werner, who had founded this company and three factories in 1840. As "Father Werner," he became one of the founders of the Inner Mission in Württemberg. His factories were intended to become "temples of God," employ the disabled, and provide the material basis for the "Brotherhood Houses," of which there were already 33 and 1,000 people in care at the time of his death in 1887. Gustav Werner would have a lasting influence on Wilhelm Maybach's later life. In a letter from 1921, Wilhelm Maybach recalled

"At home, as well as in the Bruderhaus, I was encouraged to work early on, in addition to lessons and play, as well as to go to bed early and get up early again. At the age of 15, I began an apprenticeship and—because I was good at drawing—worked in the technical office of the machine factory belonging to the Bruderhaus. During my five-year apprenticeship, I attended the municipal advanced training school in physics and freehand drawing in the evenings, in which, with the help of my technical drawing skills, I was able to create perspective-designed systems. At the end of my apprenticeship, I was allowed to take the mathematical subjects of the Oberrealschule (high school), which then enabled me to study technical works privately. A commercial employee at our factory gave me and my friends language lessons. In my final year of apprenticeship, I was already busy with inventions. Among other things, I installed a bookbinder's gilding press with a petroleum heater in the shop. During my apprenticeship, I was able to observe the implementation of all my designs in the workshop and also do practical work for six months. In 1865, Mr. Daimler joined the Bruderhaus machine factory as a board member. In 1869, after 13 years of residence, I left the Bruderhaus and went to Karlsruhe . . . "