The world's first long-distance car journey - BBC REEL

In 1888, Bertha Benz, wife of automotive inventor Karl Benz, set off on a groundbreaking trip. A pioneer and investor in her own right, Bertha took the world's first combustion engine-powered car on the world's first long-distance car journey.
The 100km journey was full of inventive problem-solving. Bertha made numerous stops to source fuel, fix the carburettor and the brakes. Her trip became a vital road test of the car's good points as well as highlighting teething issues.
Video by Next Stop Stories
Executive produced & narrated by Howard Timberlake
- - - - -
Subscribe to BBC Reel: kzread.info?sub...
More videos: www.bbc.com/reel
#bbc #bbcreel #car #history

Пікірлер: 116

  • @pipe2devnull
    @pipe2devnull Жыл бұрын

    It was the Benz children who coined the phrase “Are we there yet?”

  • @user-jd9hw4in6l

    @user-jd9hw4in6l

    4 ай бұрын

    LOL

  • @k33i33
    @k33i33 Жыл бұрын

    It seems Bertha was a better mechanic than most garage mechanics today

  • @Arltratlo

    @Arltratlo

    6 ай бұрын

    easy, she is German while your mechanics are a bunch of colonists!

  • @edp3202

    @edp3202

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@@Arltratlotruth. 😩

  • @thatsawesome2060

    @thatsawesome2060

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@@Arltratlo LoL it's also scary when the colonists were also Germany

  • @Kenan-Z
    @Kenan-Z Жыл бұрын

    It seems that Bertha was a very brave and smart woman. She had the soul of a real pioneer. I can't imagine what she would have done if she had lived nowadays.

  • @rpmhart

    @rpmhart

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm thinkin'......first cafe' on Mars. Great Strudel with ice cream. Plus she built the ship that got there first.

  • @okaydoubleu

    @okaydoubleu

    Жыл бұрын

    I was thinking she incarnated into a certain Mr Musk.

  • @semikolondev

    @semikolondev

    Жыл бұрын

    @@okaydoubleu a vaporware fake engineering like Elizabeth holmes? I doubt it.

  • @earth.planet8860

    @earth.planet8860

    Жыл бұрын

    @@okaydoubleu Hell no! musk is not an inventor but a good salesman

  • @vultureculture7707

    @vultureculture7707

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@okaydoubleu heck naw bro, Musk isn't an inventor, he's an investor. That's it.

  • @EcoEnvious
    @EcoEnvious Жыл бұрын

    She invented the road trip!!! I wonder what kind of snacks they had along the way.

  • @vksasdgaming9472

    @vksasdgaming9472

    Жыл бұрын

    She also invented car theft before her trip and gas station on it.

  • @genespell4340

    @genespell4340

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@vksasdgaming9472it was a family owned vehicle. No theft occurred.

  • @Arltratlo

    @Arltratlo

    6 ай бұрын

    German food!

  • @edp3202

    @edp3202

    5 ай бұрын

    Fun fruits?

  • @dachecker79

    @dachecker79

    Ай бұрын

    Schweinebraten mit Röstkartoffeln !

  • @jasonp.1195
    @jasonp.1195 Жыл бұрын

    I thoroughly enjoyed this segment. A really fun and human scale event right at the dawn of the automobile. Charmingly captured by the film team, nice work.

  • @GoonGuy76
    @GoonGuy76 Жыл бұрын

    I like to imagine if her sons her arguing she’d snap at them and say “Don’t make me make you kids turn this thing around“ then they shut up

  • @NinjaNuggets21
    @NinjaNuggets21 Жыл бұрын

    She was technically the first actual driver.

  • @kushagrashrivastava4880

    @kushagrashrivastava4880

    6 ай бұрын

    And technically the world's first car mechanic as well.

  • @anoopsagar8911

    @anoopsagar8911

    2 ай бұрын

    She drove more than a car She drove an entire industry that day.

  • @kristoffermangila

    @kristoffermangila

    Ай бұрын

    More precisely, the first test driver.

  • @beakittelscherz5419
    @beakittelscherz5419 Жыл бұрын

    Next time an USAmerican asks me if "we have even Cars in Germany" i'll send this little video over🇩🇪😂😜

  • @genespell4340

    @genespell4340

    Жыл бұрын

    We do have some pretty ignorant people in the states. And you, just happen to run into more than your fair share.

  • @LETMino85

    @LETMino85

    8 ай бұрын

    😂

  • @shaylow988
    @shaylow988 Жыл бұрын

    What an incredible woman! Thank you for sharing this story!

  • @Allan_aka_RocKITEman
    @Allan_aka_RocKITEman Жыл бұрын

    Now THIS would make for an interesting movie.

  • @judithgockel1001
    @judithgockel1001 Жыл бұрын

    What a great family.

  • @mymizie
    @mymizie Жыл бұрын

    What a wonderful woman ... I admire her so much.

  • @khalidalali186
    @khalidalali186 Жыл бұрын

    What an incredible story, and what a wonderful couple they were.

  • @edp3202

    @edp3202

    5 ай бұрын

    A true team.

  • @charlessands6933
    @charlessands6933 Жыл бұрын

    Bertha Benz died in 1944 at the age of 95 years and 2 days.

  • @Thomas-pq4ys
    @Thomas-pq4ys Жыл бұрын

    As a mechainic, craftsman in metal, and an amateur machinist, I run across very few women capable of these skills, developed to even my low level. I I do know female welders, but only one who is creative with it... a sculptor. For the others, it's their job. My gal sews for a living. She does sew her own creations at home.... amazing quilts... I stand back.... I'd never do that... so complex... mond boggling. I'd love to teach her how to weld... I'd unleash a monster I'm sure.

  • @MrSunrise-

    @MrSunrise-

    8 ай бұрын

    Just tell her that it is "sewing with fire" - which isn't too far off the truth.

  • @NTSVEN
    @NTSVEN6 ай бұрын

    An invention that changed the way we commute.

  • @bungeechord1
    @bungeechord1 Жыл бұрын

    Great story!

  • @sjouke120
    @sjouke1208 ай бұрын

    i love history!

  • @TheRoyalBavarian
    @TheRoyalBavarian2 ай бұрын

    As a decendent of a Bavarian family I take pride in the fortitude of Bertha Benz. She is certainly the mother of German engineering.

  • @GauravSingh-js3vm
    @GauravSingh-js3vm Жыл бұрын

    This car really cool👍👍

  • @amiralozse1781
    @amiralozse1781 Жыл бұрын

    what an incredible story! this brave an ingenious woman should be called Bertha Balls

  • @saipraveenkondapalli8979
    @saipraveenkondapalli8979 Жыл бұрын

    A true pioneer .

  • @Zenny916
    @Zenny916Ай бұрын

    Bertha Benz has long been my hero! She had real gumption.

  • @velavanlaack9134
    @velavanlaack91347 ай бұрын

    She was might be is the most successful angel investor

  • @travishaynes1180
    @travishaynes11806 ай бұрын

    Most people don't know this but Bertha was also a bit of an alcoholic so , the first long distance auto trip was also the first DUI !!

  • @kasondaleigh
    @kasondaleigh Жыл бұрын

    So interesting.

  • @mathex95
    @mathex958 ай бұрын

    Very nice

  • @melissarainchild
    @melissarainchild Жыл бұрын

    Girl power!!!

  • @Veni_Vidi_Vortice
    @Veni_Vidi_Vortice Жыл бұрын

    Needs more cupholders.

  • @DavidLouisLouis-qh9ni
    @DavidLouisLouis-qh9ni8 ай бұрын

    I can't stop laughing, I'm going to Paris I'm taking the kid's PS I'm taking the car 🤣🤣🤣‼️

  • @grahamkearnon6682
    @grahamkearnon6682 Жыл бұрын

    A very neat story, nowadays people want less cars in the cities.

  • @TheRoon4660
    @TheRoon4660 Жыл бұрын

    She has a very lovely face and seems full of personality.

  • @Skyhi.Visuals
    @Skyhi.VisualsАй бұрын

    “ his invention “ who cares about this lady who drove it … cool so strong and inspiring very independent

  • @hunterjessup
    @hunterjessup15 күн бұрын

    It seems that Bertha is now being recognized for something that she had previously been overshadowed by her husband

  • @engr.aminulrmdsl3508
    @engr.aminulrmdsl35087 ай бұрын

    Bertha a great German!

  • @enriquelopezfarias1168
    @enriquelopezfarias11683 ай бұрын

    I WANT TO CRY, WHEN I THINK HOW MANY BRILLIANTS BRAINS AND YOUNG MEN IN BOTH WW DIE.WHAT WONDERS WE COULD SEE TODAY.AND THEIR GREAT GRAND CHILDREN PLAYING AROUND.

  • @jonathancabalfin3598
    @jonathancabalfin3598 Жыл бұрын

    If you want to predict the future... you' must invent it!!!!!!!!

  • @kajilai
    @kajilai Жыл бұрын

    Ah the power of a good woman

  • @kumareshkcb4076
    @kumareshkcb4076 Жыл бұрын

    Wow

  • @mattorama
    @mattorama Жыл бұрын

    So this would have been the first grand tour.

  • @dalemettee1147
    @dalemettee11473 ай бұрын

    Do we still have any of the Benz family living in Manheim?

  • @Maniacguy2777
    @Maniacguy27778 ай бұрын

    There's a proverb said: Behind a successful man There's a woman.

  • @hawsrulebegin7768
    @hawsrulebegin7768 Жыл бұрын

    An amazing women.

  • @TropicalGardenGuy
    @TropicalGardenGuy Жыл бұрын

    When the machine stalled, wonder how she got it started?

  • @F4Insight-uq6nt
    @F4Insight-uq6nt11 ай бұрын

    Proof of Claim Required.

  • @user-ce9vd6jt5q
    @user-ce9vd6jt5q7 ай бұрын

    i love germany piopel

  • @larrycrane3255
    @larrycrane3255 Жыл бұрын

    It is important to note: The Patent Wagon was patented by Karl Benz; A woman's name could not be on a patent document.

  • @michaeldonnelly6032
    @michaeldonnelly6032 Жыл бұрын

    The kids would have said are we there yet

  • @mariobalindan110
    @mariobalindan11017 күн бұрын

    If her wife's name is Bertha, then why they call it Mercedez Benz?

  • @Caionnech

    @Caionnech

    15 күн бұрын

    Mercedes was the name of the daugther of Emil Jellinek, a Austrian Diplomat early race driver. Look up the Wiki because it is to much info for a comment section^^

  • @_guavo_
    @_guavo_ Жыл бұрын

    Hmmm, time travellers, you know what to do.

  • @TheLondonForever00
    @TheLondonForever00 Жыл бұрын

    But downhill it did 120mph

  • @mirkogianolli2518
    @mirkogianolli251816 күн бұрын

    E il tutto senza incidenti ancor oggi un record x una donna😅😅😅

  • @antongavutti4376
    @antongavutti43769 ай бұрын

    Isang matapang na babae si bertha. Taas saludo kami sa iyo. Pero ang EV ay papalit sa mga sasakyan ng gumagamit ng gas at diesel.

  • @LuminousAnima
    @LuminousAnima Жыл бұрын

    The lady gets all the credit here lmao

  • @tedf1471

    @tedf1471

    Жыл бұрын

    Or maybe Bertha gets the credit she deserves?

  • @dguy0386

    @dguy0386

    Жыл бұрын

    in this specific event Karl wasn't even involved, I'm sure he'd get more focus as well if this were the broader story of the vehicle

  • @ingvarhallstrom2306
    @ingvarhallstrom2306 Жыл бұрын

    I can't imagine the chutzpah needed to go against every single man she met on the very first long distance car trip.

  • @johnball8758
    @johnball87588 ай бұрын

    Imagine,probably no paved roads,no road signs and stopping at every drug store for gas.Very brave and maybe a little naive.I wonder why she didn't invite the husband or at least tell him in advance?

  • @LETMino85

    @LETMino85

    8 ай бұрын

    He was too scared. She didn't even tell him that she took the car, which technically makes her the first car thief too.

  • @martinstock

    @martinstock

    8 ай бұрын

    It was a tour along the main roads between towns. Outwards pretty much along existing railway lines and rivers. Back was a bit more adventurous route. Only towns had pharmacies. And smaller villages, not even a shoemaker (there were traveling shoemakers offering their services there from time to time). Milestones with directions and other signs did also exist. Just no classical standardized road signs. Other travelers using horse carriages or walking had the same needs. But for sure this was an adventure at this time.

  • @edp3202

    @edp3202

    5 ай бұрын

    Cause she was a bad ass.

  • @AndreaCandido-tp4kk
    @AndreaCandido-tp4kkАй бұрын

    ... now i would like To know who has my smArT for 2 vehicle . paipers which were stolen

  • @beakittelscherz5419
    @beakittelscherz5419 Жыл бұрын

    Benz married Couple invented and worked on it, yet it is only his statue there... 😑 No surprise

  • @LETMino85

    @LETMino85

    8 ай бұрын

    No, it's her. I've been there.

  • @Hackney_Boy-DoesntReadReplies
    @Hackney_Boy-DoesntReadReplies Жыл бұрын

    I wonder what they would think of the destruction caused by cars and in the name of cars.

  • @brianellison3525

    @brianellison3525

    Жыл бұрын

    I think they would've enjoyed a good demo derby

  • @stromghouls
    @stromghouls Жыл бұрын

    100 km in 2023 is nothing. there are people who drive more than this to go to work every day. i drive on average 65 000 km a year trouble free. i drove from northern quebec to florida, 7000 km round trip trouble free like it was nothing.

  • @MrPicky

    @MrPicky

    6 ай бұрын

    Yeah, the wonders of great motorways, also another German invention that didn't appear until decades later.

  • @AndreaCandido-tp4kk
    @AndreaCandido-tp4kkАй бұрын

    ... ThE Twin sisTer of my Mam Hedy has had girl given namen BerTha

  • @Enzo012
    @Enzo012 Жыл бұрын

    I'd say that's motor powered tricycle not a car?

  • @markjoyce3172
    @markjoyce3172 Жыл бұрын

    What was she REALLY out there doing, aye

  • @Go-Getter
    @Go-Getter3 ай бұрын

    Her husband built the car but because she decided to drive it and told him to put another gear in it she is this great contributor to automobile history? Lol. The narratives that we allow women to get away with has become ridiculous.

  • @ImmoMolinos
    @ImmoMolinosАй бұрын

    in fact . she refused to marry a rich man , and married a broke dreaming ingeneer called Carl Benz

  • @pkz5800
    @pkz5800 Жыл бұрын

    German women are good mechanics, I hear they like a good throttle and Like it hard and fast…

  • @edp3202

    @edp3202

    5 ай бұрын

    Oy vey

  • @brucerogermorgan2388
    @brucerogermorgan238820 күн бұрын

    FFS, please get rid of the annoying background music. NO-ONE WANTS TO LISTEN TO THAT, OK? We want to hear the car!

  • @guff9567
    @guff9567 Жыл бұрын

    So now we have to blame women for climate catastrophy?

  • @jbanders2358
    @jbanders2358 Жыл бұрын

    Knowing that the first vehicles were electric, this may go down as one of the worst inventions of all time for the planet. Hard not to imagine how far advanced our civilization would be if we stuck with electric...

  • @brianellison3525

    @brianellison3525

    Жыл бұрын

    First vehicles were animal drawn, then steam.

  • @ABFMick

    @ABFMick

    Жыл бұрын

    Aviation still hasn't cracked electric propulsion. Neither has space travel. Without the internal combustion engine and fossil fuels it's unlikely we would have had the first flight 14 years after Bertha made her journey. Without that we may never have had the moon landing or satellites, GPS or Internet like we have today. Fossil fuels and the internal combustion engine were the best technology of their day.

  • @jbanders2358

    @jbanders2358

    Жыл бұрын

    @@brianellison3525 ugh the first car was electric smh

  • @orionfernandes4587

    @orionfernandes4587

    Жыл бұрын

    @@jbanders2358 proof?

  • @vksasdgaming9472

    @vksasdgaming9472

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ABFMick Actually aviation has cracked electric propulsion. Problem is having enough juice for aircraft to be able to do anything beyond going airborne.

  • @libertas-goddessofliberty5664
    @libertas-goddessofliberty5664 Жыл бұрын

    Umm, excuse me??!! How do you know they IDENTIFIED as a woman?!! 😠😠😡😡 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @NeovanGoth

    @NeovanGoth

    Жыл бұрын

    Why are you people so obsessed with identity politics?

  • @dguy0386

    @dguy0386

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@NeovanGoththey're joking, thank goodness