Introduction
Siegfried Marcus, an Austrian inventor, is often overlooked in the history of the automobile, despite creating a gasoline-powered vehicle nearly 10-15 years before Gottlieb Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach, and Carl Benz.
Innovations and Early Contributions
Born in 1833, Marcus began his career as an apprentice machinist. He later joined a company producing electrical telegraph lines. At 19, he moved to Vienna and worked as a technician at the Institute of Physical Medicine before becoming an assistant to physiologist Professor Carl Ludwig. In 1860, Marcus opened his own business, manufacturing electrical and mechanical devices. He accumulated over 131 patents in 16 countries.
Creating the First Gasoline-Powered Car
Around 1860, Marcus began developing self-propelled vehicles. Inspired by the discovery of gasoline as a byproduct of oil refining, Marcus experimented with its flammable properties. This led to the world's first carburetor, which he patented in 1864.
Marcus's first car featured a two-stroke internal combustion engine and gasoline fuel mounted on a crude four-wheeled chassis. However, he later dismantled it due to its cumbersome design. His second vehicle, built in 1875, was more refined, boasting a four-stroke gasoline engine, an improved carburetor, and a spark-ignition system. It could reach a maximum speed of 16 km/h.
Subsequent Models and Legacy
Marcus likely developed two more vehicles, which incorporated steering, brakes, clutch, and other essential components. However, they have not survived to this day. Only the second car remains intact, preserved by the Austrian Automobile Club and displayed at the Vienna Technical Museum.
Nazi Suppression
Marcus died in 1898. As a Jew, his legacy was erased by Nazi propaganda. His inventions were destroyed, his name was removed from textbooks, and public memorials were dismantled. In 1940, the German Propaganda Ministry ordered the Daimler-Benz-A.G. conglomerate to replace Marcus with Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz as the inventors of the automobile in two encyclopedias.
Despite attempts to erase Marcus's contributions, some members of Vienna's Trade and Industry Museum hid his car and documentation, preserving his legacy.
Summary
Siegfried Marcus's pioneering work in developing gasoline-powered vehicles deserves recognition alongside the more well-known inventors in automotive history. Despite efforts to suppress his legacy, Marcus's second car, preserved at the Vienna Technical Museum, stands as a testament to his ingenuity and contributions to the world of transportation.