From being the subject of Janis Joplin’s famous song to the fanciest option to choose from in Mario Kart 8, Mercedes-Benz has become a symbol of style, class and performance. But their journey to this status has been a fascinating one; so let’s take a look at how the brand changed the automotive industry, what the story is behind their famous symbol and in which pop culture phenomena the brand has been featured in.
Inspiring Innovations
Both of the founding fathers of Mercedes-Benz can be credited with moulding the car manufacturing industry into what it is today. Karl Benz constructed the first ever motorised tricycle in 1886, celebrated as being the first automobile, and Gottlieb Daimler established his reputation by creating a horseless carriage and later inventing the high-speed petrol engine.
Since its foundation, Mercedes-Benz has never ceased to continually push boundaries in the car manufacturing world, creating many models that have become instant classics. Being at the forefront for setting trends in safety and performance, Mercedes-Benz epitomises what it means to love being behind the wheel of a car. Its slogan, ‘the love of inventing never dies’, is at the heart of the brand ethos, and Mercedes-Benz lives up to this. They never stop reinventing traditional car stereotypes and strive to build on their already incredible achievements.
Mercedes-Benz Double Phantom, Photo source: Alexander Z
Some of its groundbreaking accolades include the creation of the first ever fully independent suspension system, in 1931, allowing each wheel to react individually and in 1978, it produced the first car with a steering wheel which did not lock during heavy braking. Nowadays the brand is known for not only producing luxury cars, but also worldwide for its buses, trucks and coaches. It remains one of the most recognised and celebrated car brands in the world, with many of its models now considered as classics in the industry.
Mercedes Benze 170 (W15) Photo source: René
Lucky Star
The iconic three-pointed star has become known as the symbol of Mercedes-Benz. These three points represent the domination of the brand on land, air and sea, indicating that the company strives to be the best in all facets of motorisation. The star is also sometimes surrounded by a laurel wreath.
Blockbuster Beauties
Clearly the desirability of Mercedes-Benz cars has led to their use in many big blockbuster movies over the years. One of the most iconic moments can be seen in ‘Transformers Dark of the Moon’ where the SLS AMG model transformed into the transformer ‘Soundwave of the Decepticons’, driven by the supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whitely.
Image source: M93
The Hangover
Other films where you can spot the recognisable three pronged star include ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Hangover’. The latter features a classic 1965 Mercedes 220SE, driven by Bradley Cooper.
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