Gottlieb Daimler, a prominent German engineer and inventor, made a significant leap in transportation technology with his invention of the Reitwagen, the world's first motorcycle powered by an internal combustion engine. Designed and built in 1885, this innovative vehicle was characterized by its lightweight frame, two wheels, and a small gas engine. Daimler's design choices reflected a keen understanding of mechanics and an ambition to create a practical mode of transport that extended beyond horse-drawn vehicles prevalent at the time.

The Reitwagen served as a test platform for Daimler’s experiments with internal combustion engines. Unlike other vehicles of the era, which relied on steam engines and horses, the Reitwagen introduced the concept of personal, motorized travel. Its design included a belt drive to transmit power from the engine to the rear wheel, a revolutionary idea that contributed to the allowed speed of the machine and enhanced maneuverability. The motorcycle featured a wooden frame and could reach speeds of around 12 km/h (approximately 7.5 mph), which was impressive for such an early attempt at motorization.

Daimler and his assistant, Wilhelm Maybach, aimed to explore the potential of gas engines further, and the successful demonstration of the Reitwagen provided a significant foundation for future developments in personal transportation. This vehicle epitomized the transition from horse power to engine power and heralded the dawn of the motorcycle era. As such, Gottlieb Daimler's patent laid the groundwork for numerous advancements in motorcycle design and technology, driving the evolution of personal transportation into the 20th century and beyond.