In 1885, German mechanical engineer Karl Benz perfected a two-cycle, benzol-powered engine which he installed and drove successfully in a three-wheel vehicle. In 1888 he began selling his automobile to the public making it the first commercially available in history. In 1926 Benz merged with Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft forming Daimler-Benz. Karl Benz remained a member of the firm’s board of management for the rest of his life.