Although it is generally acknowledged that the automobile was “officially” born with Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach’s “Benz Patent Motorwagen”, which was presented at the Paris World Fair in 1889, studies and first experiments with motor vehicles began much earlier. All over Europe, but also in Switzerland!

Isaac de Rivaz, a Swiss citizen, tried to motorize a chariot in 1775 using steam and then gas. Swiss engineers can also be credited with several significant achievements in the automobile sector from the end of the 19th century: front-wheel drive and the gear-transforming flywheel, a kind of automatic gearbox before its time, by Henriod, the overhead camshaft by Popp, the progressive extension pulley gearbox by Weber, and the asphalting of roads developed by Dr Guglielminetti.

The Swiss car industry experienced a period of euphoria at the beginning of the 20th century: there were more than 70 Swiss car manufacturers and the first races and rallies were held.

It was in this context that the first Swiss National Automobile and Cycle Exhibition was organized in Geneva in 1905. Switzerland was then at the heart of the European automobile industry and its automobile production was renowned for its reliable and luxurious products.

Today our students had the opportunity to visit ans enjoy this incredible car show . It have been exciting to explore and experience the different brands and models on display.