Wilhelm Maybach
Wilhelm Maybach (*February 9 1846 – December 29 1929) was a German car-engine and automobile designer and an industrialist. He was born in Heilbronn, Germany, and died in Stuttgart.
Maybach worked with Gottlieb Daimler in the late 19th century on the development of light, high speed internal combustion engines. Their collaboration led to the development of small engines suitable for use in motorised vehicles including the worlds first motorcycle, in powerboats and in what is recognised as the first modern car.
As the technical director of the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (Daimler Motors Company) he played a large part in the design and construction of the first modern automobiles.
In 1909 he left the Daimler company and founded the company Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH together with his son Karl to manufacture engines for Zeppelins. Later the company also produced large luxury vehicles. The last civilian vehicles produced by his original company were 1940 models; the company was discontinued after World War II. However, Daimler-Benz retained rights to the marque, which was revived as a superluxury make in 2002.
Early life and career beginnings (1846 to 1869)
Wilhem Maybach was son of a carpenter and his wife Luise from the town of Heilbronn, and he had 5 sisters. By his 8 years old, the family moved to Wuerttemberg at 30 km from Stuttgart. Where in just 3 years (1956-1959) his two parents fatally died: first his mother and two years later his father.
Then, after his relatives published an announcement in a newspaper (Stuttgarter Anzaiger), the Bruderhaus ("Siblings' home") philantropic institution at Reutlingen welcomed Maybach as student. Where the own founder/director, Gustav Werner, discovered his technical inclinations and dedicated personally to stimulate his career eventually destining Maybach to the school's engineering workshop. At 15 (1861) Maybach was already on-track of the industrial graphic design and he added afternoon extra classes of physics and mathematics at the public high-school of Reutlingen. At 19 years old Maybach was a qualified designer working on static engines, and awoke the attention of the new workshop manager in the Bruderhaus: Gottlieb Daimler, a workalcoholic industrial designer of 29 years old.
Since then Daimler adopted him as his only assistant for the rest of his life, until the year 1900.
Daimler and the Otto Four-Stroke engine (1869 to 1880)
In 1869 Maybach (23 years old) as technical designer followed Daimler moving to a company of mechanical engineering that manufactured heavy-duty locomotives, the Maschinenbau-Gesellschaft Karlsruhe AG in Karlsruhe. Daimler was in the Executive Commitee. But both sidekicks spent long nights discussing new designs of engines for pumps, lumber industries and punching metal panels.
One day Gottlieb Daimler received a convocation seeking for a new charge of technical director at the Deutz-AG-Gasmotorenfabrik gas engines factory, world largest manufacturer of stationary gas engines of these times (half-owned by the inventor Nikolaus August Otto), in Cologne. When Daimler responded affirmatively in 1872 he became a director together with Otto and they focused on the gas-engine work-arounds. As it's obvious, Maybach also was there (as chief designer).
In 1876 Nikolaus Otto invented the Four-Stroke-Compression system, also know as the Otto-Stroke, a gas internal combustion engine characterized by four straight movements alternately (back and forth) of its piston inside the cylinder: intake, compression, power and exhaust. To replace the predominant steam engines of those years. But still was too primitive and inefficient for practical use.
This year Maybach was commended by Otto to present the Deutz engines at the Philadelphia's World Fair(USA). In his return (1877, 31 years) Maybach concentrated intensively in the Four-Stroke designs, for its massive commercial launch.
In 1878 Maybach married Bertha Wilhelmine Habermaas. From a rich family friend of Daimler's wife (Emma Kunz) one. The Habermaas were landowners of Maulbronner and had a post-office. The next year was born Karl (July 6 1879), his first son of three.
But Gottlieb Daimler and Nikolaus Otto had serious discussions. Culminating in Daimler's firing from the Deutz-AG in 1880. Receiving Daimler 112.000 goldmarks in Deutz-AG shares compensating all the patents of applied inventions by him and Maybach. Followed by the immediate renounce of Maybach following his friend to a new enterprise in Cannstatt.
Daimler Motors: Fast and small engines (1882)
In 1882 Maybach (36 years) moved to Southern Germany in Taubenheimstrasse at Cannstatt (on the route 13, distinguished Stuttgart suburb), were Daimler purchased a cottage with 75,000 gold-marks (resulted from the litigation against the Deutz-AG). In the garden they added a brick-extension to the roomy glass-fronted summerhouse darkened with curtains, and became their 24-hours workshop.
But their hermetic discretion eventually altered the nighbors so the police secretly obtained a key copy and, in absence of Daimler and Maybach, raided the house under charges of false coining. Finding --obviously-- only engines, so they finally let to continue the engineering activities in the house.
So was founded the Daimler Engines company for the construction of internal combustion engines. With Maybach as "Chief Designer", the partnership focused on the creation of small and fast engines of constant combustion to be applied universally in land, water and air transportation. As the modern Mercedes Benz logo: a three pointed star each one representing a different way.
With this objective, Daimler and Maybach spent long hours debating how to power Otto's Four-Stroke engine, which didn't allow higher speeds using gas as fuel. Discovering the use as fuel of the petroleum (until then only used as cleaner and in pharmacies).
In 1884 was born Maybach's second son, Adolf.
The Grandfather´s Clock (1885)
At the end of 1883 Maybach and Daimler developed the first of their engines. A reduced size one, of a single-horizontal Four Stroked cylinder. Air cooled, with a large Cast-Iron flywheel, a revolutionary hot tube ignition (patented as 28022) and with an exhaust valve regulated by curved groove control (allowing high speeds). With its 600 rpm overcame all the standards till then (120 to 180 rpm). Considered the prototype of all modern petrol engines.
In 1885 they also created the first carburetor that injected evaporated gasoline and mixed it with air, allowing its use as fuel to an engine. Used that year on the new bigger version of the engine (though still relatively compact), now with a vertical cylinder. Patented (DRP-28-022) as "uncooled, heat-insulated engine with unregulated hot-tube ignition". The engine had specifications of 100cc with 1 hp at 600 rpm, something unexpected by those times. Daimler baptized his creation the Grandfather´s Clock (Standuhr) because his impression that the on-foot engine resembled an old pendulum clock.
In November 1885 Daimler installed a smaller version in a wooden bicycle creating the first motorcycle with the patent 36-423: "Vehicle with gas or petroleum drive machine", called the "riding car". Maybach drove it by 3 kilometers from Cannstatt to Unterturkheim, reaching 7.5 mph (12 km/h).
In March 8, 1886, the duet of inventors secretly took a stagecoach (built by Wilhelm Wimpff & Sohn) towards the house, telling the people that was a birthday gift for Mrs. Daimler. But in fact Maybach supervised the installation into it of an enlarged copy of the Grandfather Clock. Becoming the first four-wheeled automobile (then named "Reitwagen"). Reaching 10 mph (16 km/h) with 1.5 hp, with engine power transmitted by a set of belts. Was tested again on the way to Unterturkheim.
Enthusiastically Maybach and Daimler proved their engine in many ways since then. First on water (1887) mounting it on a boat 4.5 meters long which achieved 6 knots (11 km/h). Named Neckar because it was driven for the first time in that river (patent DRP 39-367). When its commercialization began, the first customers started to express fear that its petrol engine could explode spontaneously. Daimler then hidded it inside a porcelain shell and lied that it was an "Oil-Electrical" motorboat. Eventually became their foremost product.
The Grandfathter's Clock was also tested several times on land, in street-car demonstrations and in a trolley. And even by the skies with the first motorized airship: a gasballon based on the designs of Dr. Friedrich Hermann Woelfert (from Leipzig) who had created a hand-operated device to move airships which never worked till then. But Daimler and Maybach switched with their engine and could successfully flew over Seelberg in 1888 (August 10).
In 1887 they sold their first patents abroad. Their commercial ambitions took Maybach as representative to the great Paris' World Design Exhibition (1886 to 1889) to show all these achievements.
Second Daimler-Maybach automobile (1889)
| high sped four stroke petrol engine | |
|---|---|
| fuel vaporization | |
| 2 cylinders V-configurated | |
| mushroom shaped valves | |
| water-cooled | |
| 4 speed thoothed gearbox | |
| pioneer axle-pivot steering system | |
The sales increased (mostly from the Neckar motorboat) so in June 1887 Daimler bought (30200 gold marks) another land (2903 square meters) in the Seelberg hill (Cannstatt) --at Ludwig Route 67, some miles away because the Cannstatt's Mayor was bothered by Daimler's workshop-- and built new workshops for 23 employees. Daimler stayed managing the commercial issues, while Maybach in the design department.
In 1889 Daimler and Maybach built their first automobile designed in its entirely, not readapting any previous platform --influenced by Benz's bycicle-style--, which license was mass-marketed in France. Presented publicly in Paris by both inventors (October 1889).
By those years, the Daimler's licenses sowed the world and became the bases of the modern car industry: in 1890 to France (Panhard, Levassor, Peugeot), in 1896 to United Kingdom (Daimler Coventry) and in 1891 to USA (Ford).
DMG's "devil pact" and The Phoenix engine (1890 to 1900)
Daimler and Maybach found difficulties selling enough units to stay working, and their patents till then weren´t profitable enough. Ensuring the influx of new capitals with the arrival of the financers Max von Duttenhofer and William Lorenz, who were associated with the influential banker Kilian Steiner (owner of a German Investment Bank dedicated to convert companies into corporations). Founding the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG, meaning "Daimler Motor Company") in November 28, 1890. Something that, because the chaotic decade to come, some historians called a "devil pact" [1].
Because while Daimler Motors was expanded by the newcoming capitalists, they also took complete control of it in a way like --for example-- ordering the creation of additional static engines departments, arguing that to invest in automobile production would not be profitable. And --even-- they had planed to merge the DMG with the Deutz-AG.
Instead of this, Daimler and Maybach preferred to produce automobiles and reacted violently against Duttenhofer and Lorenz. Short time later when Maybach (chief engineer) was denied in the board of management he abandoned formally the company (early in February 11, 1891) to continue his design work at Cannstatt: first from his own house (supported by Daimler) and later (autumn 1892) from the former Hermann Hotel at Cannstatt. At both its dance hall and winter garden with 12 workers and 5 apprentices, again on Daimler's behalf.
Cloistered in there, Maybach (together with Daimler and his son Paul) designed (and the DMG produced) their third engine model: the Phoenix (1894). Awaking worldwide attention pioneering four cylinders cast in one block, vertical and parallel; featuring a camshaft aiding the exhaust valves, a spray-nozzle carburetor (patented in 1893) and some belt drive system improvements. One of this cars won the first race in history: Paris to Rouen 1894.
Maybach's creations are considered the best of the second half of the 1800s, developing devices that any other manufacturer in the World had to include in their units. Eventually becoming the technological backspine of the primitive automobile industry of France, where he was known as the "King of Constructors".
As discussions with Lonrenz increased Daimler was forced out of his charge as Technical Director, resigning too in 1893. Vagueness that decried DMG's technical prestige. Lasting until 1894 when the British industrial Fredrick Simms conditioned his purchase (350,000 marks, which also stabilized the finances) of the Phoenix rights to that Gottlieb Daimler could return. Then Daimler revived, first as shareholder and later wholly in the board of management. In 1895 when DMG assembled its 1000th engine, Maybach also returned as Chief of Engineers with 30,000 in shares through his old original contract with Daimler. Both of them could then leave the Hermann hotel.
Again working inside the Daimler Motors, Maybach continued patenting automobile marvels. Creating a revolutionary cooling system. First a tubular radiator with fan followed by a honeycomb radiator. In 1897 built the Viktoria with its engine mounted on the front axle. In 1898/99, a 4-cylinder engine in five models achieving 6 to 23 hp.
But by these years Maybach suffered double afflictions. By one side, in 1900 Daimler died by heart disease. Also his teen-aged second son, Adolf, suffered a Schizophrenia attack and then was cloistered for life in diverse institutions --until 1940 when was murdered because the Euthanasia Program by the Nazis.
The Mercedes (1900)
In 1900, among April to October, Maybach was dedicated in the design of a whole new kind of car inspired on the fascinating races: the Mercedes. Considered the "first true car" in history because marked the end of the carriage-age. Built up with lightweight metals featuring a larger wheelbase, lower height, the unheard speed in the World of 40 mph (64,4 km/h) with 35 hp, 4-V-cylinder engine with 2 carburators (inlet valves throttled by the driver), 4-forward/1-reverse transmission and a honeycomb radiator.
Baptized Mercedes (in Spanish means grace) after Mercedes Jellinek, daughter of Emil Jellinek (Austrian successful dealer in Southern France and race driver) who was one of his closests assistants. Jellinek pledged beforehand the purchase of a huge shipment of Mercedes cars (36 units, 550,000 goldmarks) if he (Jellinek) could sell these as exclusive concessionaire in Austria-Hungary, France, Belgium and USA. But under the name of Jellinek's car-races team: Mercedes. The prototype was finally built in 1901 (Maybach was 55 years old). In June 1902, after the DMG noticed that Daimler trademark was already conceded to the Panhard Et Levasor for all France, allowed to renovate their businesses baptizing these cars Mercedes. Eventually all the their produced cars since then, also.
In 1902 a great blaze totally destroyed DMG facilities at Cannstatt. And then the company moved to Stuttgart-Unterturkheim.
In spite of all this the Daimler's Mercedes was a commercial success and Maybach continued developing mechanical marvels. In 1903-1904 he developed a 6-cylinder/70 hp engine. In 1906 (at 60), the base of the aviation engines with a high-speed racing engine of 120 hp, overhead intake, exhaust valves and double ignition.
But one more time the Daimler Motors segregated Maybach despising him to an insignificant "Inventor's office". Humiliation that he responded by abandoning immediately the company in 1907 (61). Replaced by Paul Daimler. Also in 1907 the German Engineers Association (VDI) recognized Wilhelm Maybach as one of its honorary members.
Zeppelin engines (1908)
In the year 1900, Maybach established his first contact with Count Ferdinand Von Zeppelin, who wanted to improve the engines of the Zeppelin airships model LZ1 of 12 hp. Maybach sold him engines based on some sketches of a futuristic 150 hp engine created by his son Karl (graduated as technician), in behalf of the DMG.
Years later (1908) the Count Zeppelin attempted to sell his models LZ3 and LZ4 to the government. But during the test period a LZ4's engines failed and the airship exploded against a tree when attempting an emergency land (August 5, at Echterdingen). Far from stopping the project, the event moved the Germans to donate --spontaneously-- 6.25 millons Gold Marks. Count Zeppelin could found the Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH company --Company Builder of Zeppelin Airships--.
Then Maybach approached Count Ferdinand Graf Von Zeppelin to offer start devising new airship engines. But for a while only Karl Maybach was officially there because Maybach was still in litigation with the DMG. In March 23, 1909, the treaty was signed creating the subsidiary company Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH --anonymous brand-- at Bissingen/Enz (Wurttemberg region of Germany), replacing the DMG. Wilhelm Maybach became technical assistant, while his elder son Karl was the technical manager. Their first engine designs reached 20 m/seg.
Wilhelm Maybach also thought to assure Karl's commercial future --on the contrary of what happened with the DMG--. So the company moved to Friedrichshafen and was rebaptized Luftfahrzeug-Motoren-GmbH--still anonymous--. Father and son assured 20% of the shares each, so Karl would inherit the company. They kept serving Zeppelin while also worked in other airship engines. In 1912, the company finally adopted the name Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH (Maybach engine construction society).
In 1916, they developed an aircraft engine of 160 HP which sold 2000 units, until the end of First World War. That year Wilhelm Maybach (70) was honored by the Technical University of Stuttgart with the Honorary Doctorate.
Maybach cars (1922)
When the war finished, the treaties suppressed any airship production over Germany. So Maybach produced diesel high-speed machinery (for naval and railroad use), and petrol engines for automobiles (despite they didn't build the rest of the car).
But small car makers in Germany used to build their own engines because cost reasons. Only the Spyker company was interested in 1920, but Maybach annulled the contract because inadequate conditions. Then he opted to build complete automobiles.
Since 1921 the factory began to produce Maybach opulent automobiles inspired on the new Rolls Royce models. Presenting in the 1921 Berlin's Exposition the admired W3 model. With 6 cylinders, brakes in 4 wheels, new transmission system and 105 km/h. Produced until 1928 with 300 units sold (mostly sedan and luxury, over the unsuccessful sport two-seat version). Which was followed by the Maybach W5 (135 km/h); produced between 1927 and 1929, with 250 units sold.
In August 1929, the Count Zeppelin flown over high altitudes --almost orbital-- with a Maybach-V12 engine of 550 HP. Then was produced the Maybach V12 car, of 150 HP (at 2800 RPM). First 12-cylinder German car, with lightweight motor --related to airships-- made of aluminum, pistons made of light alloy, 7 liters capacity and great torque. Though only sold a few dozens, because the German postwar-crisis. In 1930 its successor was the DS7-Zeppelin car with 12 cylinders (7 liters).
In 1926 DMG had suffered the economic crisis and banking pressure so decided the merging with the Carl Benz's Benz & Co. (Benz & Cie., Rheinische Gasmotorenfabrik Mannheim), forming the Daimler Benz AG.
Wilhelm Maybach died at 83, on December 29, 1929.
Trivia
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- Wilhelm Maybach was accepted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1996.
- 3 Technical Schools in Germany are named Wilhelm Maybach: in Stuttgart, Heilbronn and Berlin Spandau.
- In 2002 Mercedes Benz began to produce its limousine models under the original (1919-1940) Maybach brand.
See also
Bibliography
Niemann, Harry: Mythos Maybach, 4. Aufl., Stuttgart 2002
Niemann, Harry: Maybach - der Vater des Mercedes, 3. Aufl., Stuttgart 2000
Niemann, Harry: Wilhelm Maybach - König der Konstrukteure, 1. Aufl., Stuttgart 1995
Rathke, Kurt: Wilhelm Maybach - Anbruch eines neuen Zeitalters, 1. Aufl., Friedrichshafen 1953
Rauck, Max J.: Wilhelm Maybach: der grosse Automobilkonstrukteur. Baar 1979.
See also: Maybach