Maybach, Wilhelm, << MY bahk, VIHL hehlm >> (1846-1929), was a German inventor, engineer, and designer. In the early 1870’s, he began working for German automotive pioneer Gottlieb Daimler (see Daimler, Gottlieb ). In 1883, the two men developed an improved gasoline engine. They modified this engine, and in 1885 installed it on a bicycle, thus creating the first motorcycle. In 1886, they used a slightly more powerful engine to power a carriage. Daimler founded the Daimler Motor Company in 1890. In 1895, Maybach became the company’s technical director and played a key role in the design of the company’s first Mercedes car in 1901. In 1907, he left the company to build engines for airships manufactured by German aircraft pioneer Ferdinand von Zeppelin. Maybach was born in Heilbronn on Feb. 9, 1846. He died on Dec. 29, 1929.
