Adam Opel Founder of Opel Date of Birth: 09.05.1837 Country: Germany

Biography of Adam Opel

Adam Opel was born in 1838 in Russelsheim, Germany. He was a young and ambitious individual who constantly traveled to Europe to learn about sewing machine manufacturing. Inspired by these machines, Adam Opel opened a sewing machine factory in Russelsheim at the age of 25. In 1868, he married Sophie Marie Scheller and started a family.

The Opel family consisted of five sons: Carl, Wilhelm, Heinrich, Friedrich, and Ludwig, all of whom were involved in the family business. In 1885, Adam Opel expanded the production and began selling fully assembled bicycles in Germany. By 1895, when Adam Opel passed away, the company was already producing 2000 bicycles per year and was a leader in sewing machine sales in Europe.

With the support of their mother, the Opel brothers decided to venture into the emerging automotive industry and produced their first automobiles in 1899. Despite Adam Opel's untimely death before the start of automobile production, the Opel family continued his vision of making cars accessible to as many people as possible.

After 25 years since its foundation, Opel became a successful international manufacturer, exporting sewing machines to Europe, the United States, Russia, and India. In 1887, Opel introduced another highly acclaimed product, the bicycle, and became the world's largest bicycle manufacturer.

In 1899, Opel produced its first car, marking 37 years of development and manufacturing experience. Although Adam Opel did not live to witness the start of automobile production, his family carried on his legacy and made cars available to a wider audience.