Pioneering Wheels: From Bertha Benz to James Bond's Submarine Car

Buckle up for a thrilling ride through automotive history's most fascinating turning points! From daring pioneers to corporate chess moves, our latest episode uncovers the moments that revolutionized how we move through the world.

We kick things off with the remarkable story of Bertha Benz, who in 1888 essentially "borrowed" her husband's invention without permission and embarked on a 66-mile journey that would change transportation forever. Imagine purchasing fuel from a pharmacy, making roadside repairs yourself, and proving to a skeptical world that automobiles weren't just novelties but practical machines with real potential. This audacious act by Bertha stands as perhaps the world's first automotive marketing campaign—and it worked brilliantly.

The episode accelerates through Henry Ford's initial stumbles with his first automotive venture, which produced fewer than 20 vehicles before closing. We explore how Harvey Firestone's tire company became fundamental to America's automotive expansion despite later controversies, and examine how quickly car manufacturers pivoted to military production during World War I. Walter Chrysler's strategic introduction of the DeSoto brand reveals the competitive positioning that defined the industry, while De Tomaso's rescue of Maserati demonstrates the passion driving automotive preservation. We wrap up with popular culture's love affair with cars, featuring James Bond's unforgettable submarine-transforming Lotus Esprit.

Throughout human history, automobiles have represented more than transportation—they embody freedom, innovation, and the relentless human drive to push boundaries. Join us every Saturday morning from 8-11am Central for our live show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and InWheelTime.com, or catch our podcasts on all major streaming platforms. Have a favorite automotive history moment? Share it with us and become part of our ongoing exploration of wheels, roads, and the people who changed how we travel.

The Lupe' Tortilla Restaurants
Lupe Tortilla in Katy, Texas

Gulf Coast Auto Shield
Paint protection, tint, and more!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

----  ----- 
Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?
     
In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!  

Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.
-----   -----
Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.

In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.

Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTime

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/

https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltime

https://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTime

For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at 

info@inwheeltime.com

Transcript

Welcome to In Wheel Time

Speaker 1 0:00

Welcome to another In Wheel Time podcast.

Speaker 2 0:03

Time for another version of the In.

Speaker 1 0:04

Wheel.

Speaker 3 0:05

Time Car.

Speaker 1 0:05

Show that airs live every. Saturday morning 8 to 11 am. Central Auto history. Yeah, yeah yeah, yeah.

Speaker 3 0:12

So this week in 1988, bertha Benz actually made history by undertaking the world's first long-distance automobile trip.

Speaker 2 0:21

Bertha, bertha, is that a woman?

Speaker 3 0:24

Without her husband, carl. She stole it. She drove the newly invented motor wagon from Meunheim to her mother's home, covering about 66 miles. She had to purchase fuel from a pharmacy. She repaired the car. She proved the vehicle's practicality. Then, in 1899, henry Ford actually founded his first automobile company, called the detroit automobile company. Now, it was backed by investors, and the company aimed to mass produce affordable vehicles. However, uh, they had a little problem perfecting their designs, if that uh means anything there's no design there.

Speaker 2 0:58

It looks like an outhouse. Is he being carjacked?

Speaker 3 1:01

yeah, it was uh, but anyway, the cars were expensive and unreliable and the venture closed 19 after one, after producing fewer than wait a minute.

Speaker 2 1:09

19 after one 1901.

Speaker 3 1:11

after 1901 they produced 20 vehicles and apparently there was a lot of massive recalls or something that caused failure. Then, in 1900, harvey firestone founded the firestone Tire and Rover Company in Akron, ohio, became a key supplier to Ford and a cornerstone of America's automotive expansion. However, they ran into some controversy in the 1990s, where hundreds of people died in automobile crashes caused by the failure of Firestone tires on light trucks and SUVs made by the Ford Motor Company. More recalls Then.

Speaker 3 1:44

In 1918, the US government ordered automakers to halt civilian vehicle production and this was to redirect the factories to support the World War I efforts. Now, this was great because it showed that they could shift to making military trucks, ambulances and aircraft engines and proving the mobilization of the automotive industry until they got to the EVs. Then, in 1928, walter Chrysler introduced the DeSoto brand to compete in the mid priced market, putting the DeSoto between the Dodge and the Chrysler models. It was named after a Spanish, or Explorer, which I'm not sure why, and I couldn't find a good reason Fernando De Soto. De Soto reflected Chrysler's ambition to diversify its offering and, however, it was discontinued in 1961.

Speaker 2 2:35

I think one of the first cars that my parents owned was a De Soto. My dad had to teach my mother how to get out, open the hood, take a broomstick with a hammer and hit the starter. Hit the starter to get it to engage.

Speaker 3 2:51

Well, I, when I found this picture of one, I.

Speaker 2 2:53

I, that wasn't it.

Speaker 3 2:55

No, but I was kind of impressed that why he wanted to put that between the Dodge and the Chrysler models Like this was a mid priced type vehicle and it looks awful expensive to me. Yes, I like the torino in the background. There that's even better then in 1959 that's not 1959, okay we're gonna skip that one. Then in 1975, you're good, the um um tomaso acquired maserati, restoring the famed automaker De Tommaso.

Speaker 3 3:27

De Tommaso yeah To Italian ownership. They had been struggling financially, but he aimed to revive the brand with more accessible, performance vehicles. Now, this marked a crucial moment in Maserati's survival, helping preserve its identity as a maker of high-style, high-performance cars. Although I'm not sure that's one of them but it was listed as one of those cars. Alejandro DiTomaso. Also in 1977, the Spy who Loved Me movie premiered, featuring the iconic Lotus Esprit. That transformed into a.

Speaker 1 4:00

That's an.

Speaker 3 4:00

Esprit, esprit. That transformed into a submerged marine you called that an Esprit.

Speaker 2 4:04

Well, that's what spree, a spree that trammed into a submerged marine. You called that a spree, well that's what it says.

Speaker 3 4:07

The vehicle became one of James Bond's most memorable cars, merging cinematic flair and futuristic automotive imagination. And that was this week in auto history.

Speaker 2 4:17

Thank God that that's done well. Oh my gosh, you had some sort of a little devil hanging out over your head today, haven't you?

Speaker 3 4:27

It's um.

Speaker 2 4:30

Oh, that made the day.

Speaker 1 4:35

That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time Car Show. I'm Don Armstrong, inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning on Facebook, youtube, twitch and our InWheelTimecom website. Podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, spotify, stitcher, iheart Podcast, podcast Addict TuneIn, pandora and Amazon Music. Keep listening and we'll see you soon.