Karl Benz — The first automobile was built by Karl Benz (1886; Germany). A one-cylinder internal-combustion engine propelled this three-wheeler at 13 km/h (8 mph). Karl Friedrich Benz, for whom an alternate French spelling of Carl is used occasionally, (November 25, 1844, Karlsruhe, Germany – April 4, 1929, Ladenburg, Germany) was a German engine designer and mechanical engineer, generally regarded …

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL — The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL coupe (1953; Germany) had “gullwing” doors that opened upward and a 6-cylinder, 175-hp engine with fuel injection The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a series of luxury automobiles. SL, meaning “Sport Light”, or in German, Sport Leicht, first appeared on the 1954 300SL ’Gullwing’ so named because of its upward-opening passenger doors. The Mercedes-Benz …

Porsche 911S — The Porsche 911S (1967; Germany) used a high-performance overhung rear 6-cylinder engine and independent wheel suspension. The Porsche 911 (pronounced as nine eleven) is a sports car made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. The famous, distinctive and durable car has undergone continuous development since its introduction in 1964. Mechanically it is notable for being rear engined …

Ford Fiesta — The Ford Fiesta (1978; Europe and the United States) is one of the subcompact automobiles that was introduced in the 1970s in response to the energy crisis. The Ford Fiesta is a mid-class supermini car designed and built by the Ford Motor Company in Europe, and also manufactured in Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, China, India and South Africa. …

Duesenberg SJ Roadster — The Duesenberg SJ roadster (1933; United States) had a supercharged 8-cylinder, 320-hp engine and a top speed of 209 km/h (130 mph). Duesenberg was a United States-based luxury automobile company active in various forms from 1913 to 1937, most famous for their extremely high-quality, record-breakingly fast roadsters. History In 1913, the German Duesenberg Brothers, Fred and …

Volkswagen — The Volkswagen “Bug” (1949; Germany) was first introduced as a “people’s automobile” in 1937. After World War II the Volkswagen was mass produced as an inexpensive, reliable 4-seater, and became one of the best-selling cars of all time. The Volkswagen Type 1, more commonly known as the Beetle, is an economy car produced by the German automaker Volkswagen …

Rhamphorhynchus — Rhamphorhynchus was a long-tailed pterosaur of the Jurassic period. Its name means ’beak snout’. Only 17.5 cm (7 in) long but with a wingspan of 100 cm (3 ft), it was less specialized than the later pterodactyloids. It had a long tail stiffened with ligaments which ended in a diamond-shaped vane. Rhamphorhynchus ate fish, frogs,and insects and it …

Stealth Aircraft — Stealth aircraft are aircraft that use stealth technology to avoid detection by employing a combination of features to interfere with radar as well as reduce visibility in the infrared, visual, audio, and radio frequency (RF) spectrum. Development of stealth technology likely began in Germany during World War II. Well-known modern examples of stealth aircraft include the United …

P-51D Mustang — The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long range, single seat fighter and fighter bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts. During World War II Mustang pilots claimed 4,950 enemy aircraft shot down, second only to the Grumman F6F Hellcat. It was conceived, designed and built by North …

Messerschmitt Bf-109 — The Messerschmitt Bf 109, often called Me 109, was a German World War II fighter aircraft designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser during the early to mid 1930s. It was one of the first true modern fighters of the era, including such features as all-metal monocoque construction, a closed canopy, a retractable landing gear, and was …