Bertha Benz Memorial Route

Two years earlier, in 1886, Bertha's husband, Dr Karl Benz, had invented the internal-combustion powered automobile in Mannheim (Reich Patent No. 37435) - but nobody wanted to buy his invention. However, after his wife went with her 13- and 15-year-old sons on a long-distance trip from Mannheim to Pforzheim and back in 1888 - without her husband's knowledge - this proved that the horseless carriage was absolutely suitable for daily use and it became a huge success. There are almost a billion drivers worldwide today, but the first was a woman! Although Bertha's journey was arguably the most important marketing activity of all time, the original achievement and route was on the verge of sinking into oblivion before So Frauke and Edgar Meyer started a private non-profit-initiative in 2007. They were instrumental in commemorating Bertha's pioneer deed by signposting the original route she had taken in 1888. The Bertha Benz Memorial Route became an official German tourist route in 2008 and a European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) in 2009. Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA). Then head south by rented car or ICE-train about 80 km (50 mi) to either Mannheim or Heidelberg. Mannheim is one of the most important train stops in Germany with numerous ICE-train-connections. Cars can be rented at the major train stations. Mannheim and Heidelberg, both situated in the Rhine Valley, can be reached via several "Autobahns"....