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The Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft.

1882. Daimler leaves Deutz. In 1882 Gottlieb Daimler left Gasmotorenfabrik Deutz with his chief designer Wilhelm Maybach. In Cannstatt, near Stuttgart, they set up their own workshop in a greenhouse where they continued to work on the development of a four-stroke engine. One year later - in 1883 - they were granted the two patents which formed the basis for the first small, light, high-speed four-stroke internal combustion engine.

1885. The first motor cycle. In 1885, Daimler made further improvements to the four-stroke single-cylinder engine. In the same year, he fitted it in a two-wheeler which he had designed himself. "Daimler's Petroleum Riding Cycle", as it was officially called, the world's first motor cycle, made a test run from Cannstatt to Untertürkheim (three kilometres) and back in November 1885.

1886. The Daimler Motor Carriage. Gottlieb Daimler ordered a four-wheeler carriage from coachmakers Wimpff & Sohn into which he fitted his 1.1 hp engine. His dream of a self-propelled car - an "automobile" - had come true.

1888. The beginnings in the USA. After acquiring the Daimler patents for the USA, William Steinway founds the Daimler Motor Company in Long Island, New York. Three years later America's first usable automobile engine is built in Hartford, Connecticut (USA) according to original plans by Gottlieb Daimler.

1890. The breakthrough. On 28 November, the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) is officially founded in Stuttgart "for the purpose of exploiting and utilizing Gottlieb Daimler's inventions in petroleum and gas motors." By 14 March of that year, a preliminary agreement for the founding of DMG had already been reached by Gottlieb Daimler, Max Duttenhofer and Wilhelm Lorenz. Maybach, with his four-cylinder in-line four-stroke engine, created the basic design used today in engine construction.

1894. Daimler leaves DMG. DMG owes the Württembergische Vereinsbank 385,000 marks. In connection with the repayment of this loan, Daimler resigns as co-owner.

1895. Main business: engines. Between November 1894 and June 1895, DMG deliver mostly engines and just four 2-hp motor cars. The share capital of DMG is increased to 900,000 marks.

1896. The world's first truck. DMG builds the world's first truck. It is delivered to the British Motor Syndicate Ltd on 1 October. On 30 November William Steinway, founder and owner of the Daimler Motor Co., New York, dies. DMG deliver 33 vehicles, 28 of these to foreign customers.

1898. A Daimler-Benz factory in Berlin. Founding of the Motorfahrzeug- und Motorenfabrik Berlin AG, later the Daimler-Benz factory Berlin-Marienfelde, which produces among other things passenger cars and commercial vehicles under license from Daimler.

1899. A Daimler-Benz factory in Austria. Founding of the Austrian Daimler-Motoren-Kommanditgesellschaft Bierenz, Fischer & Co., Wiener Neustadt. The name "Daimler" is protected by patent.

1900. The death of Daimler. Gottlieb Daimler dies on 6 March. The worker's support fund is established at DMG in Bad Cannstatt. In April Emil Jellinek is elected to the Supervisory Board of DMG. A preliminary agreement is reached between DMG and the borough of Untertürkheim for the purchase of an industrial site.

1902. Takeovers. Takeover of the Austrian Daimler-Motoren-Kommanditgesellschaft Bierenz, Fischer & Co., Wiener Neustadt and continuation of operations as a subsidiary on 1 January. DMG takes over the Motorfahrzeug- und Motorenfabrik Berlin AG in Marienfelde on 29 July. The name "Mercedes" receives protection as a registered trademark.

1903. Mercedes in New York. On 14 August Duttenhofer, industrialist and co-founder of DMG, dies. Founding of the Mercedes Company New York with 2.7 million dollars in equity capital. It produces the American Mercedes and other DMG products under license. In December production start-up begins at the completed main plant of DMG in Untertürkheim.

1904. Move to Untertürkheim. On 26 May DMG administration is moved from Bad Cannstatt to Untertürkheim, and the move is registered with the Commercial Register on 17 October. At the general meeting of shareholders of DMG, the Württembergische Vereinsbank represents 400 A shares, the Deutsche Bank 156. Together they have a blocking minority.

1907. Paul Daimler replaces Maybach. Wilhelm Maybach leaves the Board of Management of DMG. His successor as head of the design department and technical director is Paul Daimler.

1909. Production rights for aeroengines. DMG acquires the* exclusive production rights for Germany for the slide-valve engine, invented by the American Charles J. Knight. Aeroengine production begins at DMG with the 60-hp four-cylinder.

1911. DMG goes on the stock market. DMG shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Stuttgart, Berlin and Frankfurt. After the departure of Vischer, the Board of Management of DMG in Untertürkheim consists of just three members, Adolf Daimler, plant director, Paul Daimler, designer, and Ernst Berge, commercial director. As a member of the Board of Management in Berlin, Carl Schippert is commercial director of Marienfelde. Chief engineer Möwes serves as technical director.

1915. Aircraft production by DMG. DMG purchases parcels of land near the military airport at Böblingen for the construction of an aircraft factory in Sindelfingen. Production of Daimler aircraft begins, starting with the large 4-engine airplane R 11.

1918. The Daimler case. The directors of DMG are put under military supervision following charges of excessive pricing.

1919. First merger negotiations. Due to strikes and wage demands, the factories of DMG and Benz & Cie. are operating at a loss. Negotiations take place between the Boards of Management of DMG and Benz about an association of common interest or merger.

1920. Leading the field in Germany. DMG triples its share capital within 8 months, thereby reaching 100 million marks. Measured by capitalization, it is among the largest German industrial companies. To avoid the danger of excessive foreign control, DMG and the Maschinenfabrik Esslingen exchange preferred stock with 16-fold voting rights. Benz disburses 2 million marks of preferred stock with 12-fold voting rights and a 10-year blocking period.

1922. Move to Berlin. In December DMG moves its headquarters from Untertürkheim to Berlin for tax reasons. The following year typewriters are produced in Untertürkheim and bicycles in Marienfelde.

1924. The association of common interest. As the oldest automobile manufacturers in the world, the companies Benz and DMG conclude an association of common interest on 1 May. Chairman of the association of common interest is Dr. von Stauß.