Mercedes-Benz Classic: Gottlieb Daimler House in Schorndorf

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Gottlieb Daimler was born in Schorndorf on 17 March 1834. The Daimler family, also called Deumler or Teimbler, had for two hundred years been living in Schorndorf which had some 4,000 inhabitants at the time Daimler was born.

The Daimlers had been master bakers for generations. Since 1787, at the latest, the Daimler bakery had been in number 7 “Höllgasse” or “Helle Gasse” (“light alley”). Gottlieb’s father Johannes Deumler took over the family business, which meanwhile included a wine parlour, in 1825. Johannes and his wife Wilhelmine Friederike née Fensterer, a dyer’s daughter, had four sons: Johannes (born 1832), Gottlieb Wilhelm (born 1834), Karl Wilhelm (born 1840) and Christian Albrecht (born 1845). A trader in bread and wine, Daimler’s father was not a rich man, but he nevertheless gave young Gottlieb a sound education, first at the local Latin school, then at the Royal trade school in Stuttgart. Gottlieb Daimler acquired manual skills as a gunsmith’s apprentice; his journeyman’s piece was a double-barrelled, elaborately decorated pistol.

Gottlieb Daimler left Schorndorf in 1853 to return only infrequently. He had attracted the attention of Ferdinand Steinbeis, promoter of industrialisation in Württemberg, who helped him find a job as an industrial worker in Graffenstaden near Strasbourg in preparation of his studies at a Polytechnic. The business in Höllgasse was run by his brothers Johannes and Karl Wilhelm. Financial difficulties forced Karl Wilhelm’s widow to sell the house in 1897.

In 1979, the house where one of the company’s founders had been born was acquired by Daimler-Benz AG. To restore the house to its original condition to the greatest possible extent, the brickwork had to be replaced, while the wooden structures and cellars could be retained. With the exception of minor changes at the back of the house, the latter reflects the original layout of the rooms. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Gottlieb Daimler’s death on 6 March 2000, the exhibition on the ground floor was renewed.

Gottlieb Daimler’s notebook on his journey to Russia in 1881 reveals a sensitive observer and a man well versed in the arts. His extensive journeys and the limited transport opportunities prompted Daimler to develop a vision that was to change the world: “I detested the overcrowded trains in the summer and the limitations imposed by the railways, which made me think of independent driving.”

Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler, 1834 to 1900

1834 - Born in Schorndorf on 17 March
1848-1852 - Apprenticeship with a gunsmith
1853-1857 - Practical mechanical engineering training in Graffenstaden in Alsace
1857-1859 - Mechanical engineering studies at the Stuttgart Polytechnic
1859 - Return to previous job in Graffenstaden
1861-1863 - Time spent in England; work at Messrs. Straub, a mechanical engineering company in Geislingen
End of 1863 - Technical manager of the mechanical engineering factory of the “Bruderhaus” (Reutlingen House of Brothers)
1867 - Wedding with Emma Kurtz
Dec. 1868 - Plant manager of Carlsruhe Mechanical Engineering Company
1872 - Technical manager of Deutz Gas Engine Factory
Sept. to Dec. 1881 - Journey to Russia on behalf of Deutz
1882 - Withdrawal from Deutz Gas Engine Factory, move to Cannstatt and start of work in the greenhouse on his estate
1883 - The first high-speed engine is operational
1885 - The second engine, nicknamed the “grandfather clock”, is granted German Imperial patent no. 34926 First outing with the “riding car”, the world’s first motorcycle
1887 - Engine production in a factory on Seelberg
1889 - Two-cylinder V-engine, wire-wheel car and four-speed gear-only transmission. Death of Emma Daimler
1890 - Foundation of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG)
1890-1894 - Deputy Member of the supervisory board of DMG
1892 - Work with Wilhelm Maybach at the Hotel Hermann
1893 - Wedding with his second wife, Lina Hartmann
1894 - Withdrawal from DMG
1895 - Daimler re-joins DMG as chairman of the supervisory board
1900 - Gottlieb Daimler dies in Cannstatt on 8 March

Gottlieb Daimler House:
Höllgasse 7, 73614 Schorndorf (Germany)

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday, Holidays from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Closed between Chistmas and New Year’s Day.
Free entrance.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Mercedes-Benz Actros wins 2012 red dot design award

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Mercedes-Benz sets sustainable trends in truck design with maximum aesthetic appeal. The judging panel of the most internationally acclaimed design competition has acknowledged this fact by awarding the Stuttgart-based company the coveted red dot award for the new Actros truck.

1,800 manufacturers and designers from 58 countries submitted entries this year for consideration by the experts at the prestigious red dot awards, which are regarded as a seal of quality for outstanding design. The high-profile jury of international and independent experts assessed over 4,500 products in a competition that recognises well-conceived innovative products, aesthetic quality and pioneering design. The highly respected judging panel under Professor Peter Zec, the initiator and director of the red dot design awards, felt that the new truck by Mercedes-Benz met these ambitious criteria: "What is important is a durable and functional design idiom that continues to look appealing and modern for years to come. The new Actros balances function with perfect exterior form".

Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle design director Kai Sieber confirmed this assessment by saying that for this truck "both form and function are a key focus. It is made as if from a single cast". The first generation of the Actros also won the coveted award back in 1998.

The publication 'Dimensions', produced to coincide with the market launch of the new Actros by Mercedes-Benz Trucks, has also been honoured with a red dot award – in the Magazines & Daily Press category. The publication presents the truck as it has never been seen before, treating the new Mercedes-Benz Actros more like a design object than a business asset. The images are beautifully photographed and the unusual editorial layout adds to the overall presentation of the concept.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Lewis revs up Moscow at the fifth annual Vodafone City Racing Event 2012

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The walls of the Kremlin echoed to the blast of high-revving V8 engines last weekend as Lewis Hamilton and his Vodafone McLaren Mercedes race car starred at the fifth annual Moscow City Racing event.

~ Official photos and details courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ~

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS teams up with BHARTI AIRTEL for the 2012 Airtel Indian F1 Grand Prix

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The MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team is pleased to confirm a race partnership agreement with Bharti Airtel for the 2012 Airtel Indian Grand Prix. The leading integrated telecommunications company was title sponsor of the inaugural race at the Buddh International Circuit in New Delhi in October 2011, and will continue the role this year.

Airtel branding will feature on the airbox and headrest of the Mercedes AMG F1 W03 car, and on the racesuits and helmets of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, for the duration of the 2012 Airtel Indian Grand Prix weekend.

Bharti Airtel will use the association with MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS to further promote Formula One within India, with a host of innovative content and experiences planned both before and during the 2012 Airtel Indian Grand Prix. Michael and Nico will also feature in a television campaign in India to promote the race and Bharti Airtel’s involvement.

Ross Brawn, Team Principal of the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team commented: “The 2011 Airtel Indian Grand Prix was a very successful new adventure for Formula One and we are delighted to now be partnering with Bharti Airtel, who have supported the sport in India from the outset. Taking our sport to new audiences is vital for our future and we are very much looking forward to working with Bharti Airtel in the run-up to this year’s race, in order to bring our fantastic sport closer to the Indian fans.”

Bharat Bambawale, Global Brand Director at Bharti Airtel said: “As title sponsors, we at Bharti Airtel are proud to have been an integral part of India’s first Formula One race last year. We are today delighted to enter a new lap of our brand’s Formula One journey with an exciting alliance with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. In 2011, Bharti Airtel took the lead in bringing India’s Formula One dreams alive and became ‘Title Sponsor’ of the sport’s debut in the country. Bharti Airtel and MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS are associated with traits of speed, performance and fast-paced growth, thus making this partnership a perfect match between two like-minded brands. By building on the unique motorsport heritage and strong track record of Mercedes-Benz, we will strengthen Bharti Airtel’s youthful positioning and appeal to Formula One fans across India.”

~ Official photo and details courtesy of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS ~

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Hungarian F1 Grand Prix 2012: Race Report - Victorious Lewis Hamilton back in the title hunt

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LEWIS HAMILTON
- MP4-27A-03
- Started: 1st
- Finished: 1st
- Fastest lap: 1m25.831s (+1.695s, 10th)
- Pitstops: Two: laps 18 (3.96s) and 40 (2.76s) [Opt-Pri-Pri]
- Points: 117 (4th)

“Well, what can I say?! I’m over the moon! The team did a fantastic job! Absolutely brilliant!

“It was a really enjoyable race – but it wasn’t at all easy. In fact, I reckon that it was one of the toughest races I’ve ever driven – but, guess what, I’ll savour it all the more for that.

“I was under a lot of pressure throughout all 69 laps. First, Romain [Grosjean] and then Kimi [Raikkonen] were right behind me, all the way through, and I had to look after my tyres without letting my pace drop, which was pretty tricky at times.

“It isn’t a static situation when a race goes like that. The feel of the car is changing all the time. You get different messages from the tyres with every lap. But they lasted – I managed to make them last.

“It was a case of managing the gap behind me, over the whole lap, every lap. In particular, I had to make sure that, every lap, I always had a big enough gap at the last corner, so that I wouldn’t be overtaken in the DRS zone on the pitstraight. And I managed to do that every time.

“As I say, the team did an absolutely incredible job – and the support we’ve had here in Budapest, not only from the visiting British fans but also from the local Hungarian fans, has been phenomenal.

“And to be able to win a Grand Prix on the weekend that the Olympic Games started in the UK too, well, I feel like we’ve done our part to contribute to what I hope will be many more British successes over the Olympic Games period. Someone has just told me that we’ve scored Britain’s first gold medal of 2012. Well, it isn’t really that, is it? But it’s the first British victory of the Olympic Games period, which is pretty cool.

“Looking at the season as a whole, it’s clear that after the mid-season break we’ll have a lot of work to do. But, for now, let’s celebrate – all of us, family, friends and fans – and put on our Vodafone rocket-red tops, and enjoy the moment.

“Nobody celebrates like we do.”

JENSON BUTTON
- MP4-27A-02
- Started: 4th
- Finished: 6th
- Fastest lap: 1m25.677s (+1.541s, 4th)
- Pitstops: Three: laps 15 (2.86s), 34 (2.60s) and 45 (3.96s) [Opt-Pri-Opt-Pri]
- Points: 76 (7th)

“First of all, I want to say a big ‘Well done!’ to Lewis and the entire Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team. Fantastic job, guys!

“For me, though, I guess today was quite a bit more frustrating than it was for Lewis. Having said that, I was really pleased to be able to get ahead of Seb [Vettel] on the opening lap, passing him on the outside of Turn Two, and to be able to hold a very solid third place at that point. I was on the leaders’ pace too. In fact, even after the first stop, I could still see the leaders – so we were obviously still pretty close.

“Then we decided to go for a three-stop strategy – but after my second and third stops I encountered traffic, unfortunately, which made things really difficult for me because the traffic I was stuck in was lapping quite a bit slower than I could have been lapping if I’d had a clear track.

“But there are lots of positives to take away from this weekend: our car is obviously quick, as I was able to show at Hockenheim and Lewis was able to confirm here, and in the second half of the season I know that everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes will work as hard as possible to maintain and continue that upward performance development curve.

“Now, as we go into the mid-season break, I’m going to go away and relax. I’m really looking forward to it, in fact.”

MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

“Lewis drove with tremendous composure all afternoon, and the result was a meticulously judged victory, wrought under intense pressure throughout.

“He made a superb start from pole position, then controlled the race with masterful authority, all the while balancing the necessity to execute rapid laps against the equally pressing requirement to conserve his tyres.

“The 25 points he annexed today have taken his season-so-far total to 117. Although he's still a little way behind the Drivers' World Championship leader, he's now very well placed to mount an assault on the Drivers' World Championship crown over the remaining nine races of the season. Believe me, it's still all up for grabs.

“Jenson had a frustrating race but nonetheless managed to score a useful eight points as a result of finishing in sixth place. Like Lewis, he'll come back from the mid-season break ready to attack the second half of the season with energy and enthusiasm. And, again, also like Lewis, he'll be aiming to score plenty of points, at Spa-Francorchamps and Interlagos and everywhere in between.

“Yesterday Lewis scored the 150th pole position in McLaren's history – and today he notched up our 178th Grand Prix victory. It was his 101st Grand Prix – and it's difficult to imagine a better way for him to have begun his second century of Grand Prix appearances, isn't it?

“In the Constructors' World Championship, the 33 points that Lewis and Jenson scored today have lifted Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to second place overall. Again, as with the Drivers' World Championship, we're in a good position from which to work as hard as is humanly possible to close the gap on the leaders and wrest the Constructors' laurels by season's end.

“Talking of hard work, I want to pay tribute to the massively impressive levels of dogged application and sheer graft that everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in Woking [Surrey, UK] and at Mercedes-Benz AMG HighPerformancePowertrains in Brixworth [Northamptonshire, UK] has brought to bear on the 2012 Formula 1 World Championship campaign so far. And, in fact, I want to say an especially big ‘thank you’ to our friends from Stuttgart [Germany] as well as from Brixworth, actually, because today’s win was the 75th victory of the McLaren/Mercedes-Benz partnership: a pretty impressive stat!

“We'll now take our holidays, we'll recharge our batteries, and we'll return at Spa-Francorchamps in a month's time, fighting fit and ready to do battle once again.

“Bring it on!”

~ Official photos and report courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ~

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