What was the main function of the Daimler Reitwagen when it was first built in 1885?
Answer
To serve as a mobile test stand for their new engine technology
The 1885 Reitwagen was fundamentally an engineering tool; it was explicitly stated to have been a mobile test stand and was never intended for long-term sales. Its primary purpose was to provide Daimler and Maybach with the most efficient two-wheeled platform available to test the performance, reliability, and handling characteristics of their revolutionary four-stroke gasoline engine. Its success in propelling the rider validated the engine's viability, immediately spurring competition to catch up in the burgeoning personal transport market.
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