Carl Benz (1844 -1929) was a designer and manufacturer of stationary engines. His 3-wheeled Patent-Motorwagen was constructed of steel tubing and contained many  inventions. Fully elliptic springs were used at the back with chain drive on both sides. A simple belt system served as a single-speed transmission. The four-stroke engine was extremely light for the time, weighing about 100 kg. A large horizontal flywheel stabilized the power output. Benz opted for 3 wheels because he was uncertain of a 2-wheel steering mechanism. The vehicle was awarded the German patent number 37435, applied for on 29 January 1886. About 25 Patent-Motorwagen were built between 1886 and 1894. To celebrate the 100^th birthday in 1986, Mercedes had 100 replicas build in England.