Werner brothers

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Werner Tricar from 1902

The brothers Michel and Eugène Werner (also Michael and Eugen), originally from Russia , manufactured motorcycles , motorized tricycles and automobiles . At first they earned their living as journalists and inventors in Paris .

In addition to various constructions such as a phonograph , cinematograph and a typewriter , they have been working on installing a motor in a bicycle since 1896 .

In 1897 they presented a model whose engine was mounted above the front wheel and was called the " Motocyclette ". Licenses for this relatively successful motorcycle were issued across Europe. The similarities between this model and the Vélosolex , which is still in production today, are striking. The disadvantage of the high center of gravity and the resulting unfavorable road holding prompted the brothers to experiment with installing a motor in the frame from 1899 onwards. The single-cylinder model with a displacement of 217 cm³ and an output of 0.75 hp , which appeared in 1900, had the engine in its frame and was trend-setting for future motorcycle manufacturers. In addition to motorcycles, so-called tricycles , motorized three-wheelers, and from 1906 automobiles were produced, some of which were fitted with built-in engines from De Dion-Bouton .

The Werner brothers, who became prosperous through licensing, left their company in 1908, which continued to manufacture automobiles until 1914. They lost their fortune in Russian government bonds, which turned out to be a disaster. Bad health problems, both died impoverished.

literature

  • Harald H. Linz, Halwart Schrader : The International Automobile Encyclopedia . United Soft Media Verlag, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-8032-9876-8 .
  • George Nick Georgano (Editor-in-Chief): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. Volume 3: P – Z. Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001, ISBN 1-57958-293-1 . (English)
  • George Nick Georgano: Cars. Encyclopédie complète. 1885 à nos jours. Courtille, Paris 1975. (French)

Web links

Commons : Werner Frères  - Collection of images, videos and audio files