Daimler
Motorenwerke built its first aero-engine in 1910, a water-cooled
in-line four. Subsequent development was marketed under the Mercedes
brand. Mercedes and Austro-Daimler established the in-line six
as practically the standard aircraft engine for the Central Powers
during World War I.
Aero work ceased after 1918 until 1926 when Daimler-Benz
was formed by the merger of Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft and
Benz & Cie. The new company quickly
entered the liquid-cooled V-12 market with the F2 in 1927.
The famous Daimler-Benz inverted-vee V-12 engines
had their start with the DB 600 of 1934. Direct fuel injection
was introduced with the DB 601 which gave the Luftwaffe an edge over
the RAF during the Battle of Britain...the DB 601 was unaffected by
negative g's.
By 1944, Daimler-Benz engines were so important to
the Luftwaffe that it ran 8 major factories with 6 more being run by
other organizations.
Daimler-Benz was rebuilt after World War II
focusing on the automotive market.
1985: The company re-enters the aerospace
market with the acquisition of Dornier.
1989: Daimler-Benz acquires
Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB). Deutsche Aerospace (DASA)
is formed to manage the aerospace activities of Daimler-Benz (Dornier
and MBB).
1998: Daimler-Benz Aerospace changes its
name to Daimler Chrysler Aerospace.
1999/2000: Daimler Chrysler Aerospace joins
with Aerospatiale Matra and CASA to form the European Aeronautic Defense
and Space Company (EADS).
