Although Friedrichshafen originally belonged to Baden and not to Württemberg, but still can be seen as part of Swabia, even more accurate Upper Swabia. So members of the family Lanz, originally from Friedrichshafen, can be considered once again as typical Swabian entrepreneurs.

Mid-19th century: It was a long-established business family in Friedrichshafen engaged in the transport sector. Horse carts provided the transport of goods in nearly whole Germany even up to the coast. However, that was exactly the time of the first railways one of which was built from Ulm to the south. Because of such a strong competition the decision was taken to relocate the company headquarters to Mannheim, first partially and later completely.

Heinrich Lanz is important for the continuation of the history. In the age of 21 he joined his father's company in 1859, but opened an own part company with the import of agricultural machines from the United Kingdom. After 'amicable' separation, this company increased immense by design and construction of steam driven traction engines, threshing and other agricultural machinery.

At the end of the century Lanz even exposed at the World Exhibition in Paris. Up to this time he had already produced 10,000 locomobiles. After the death of Heinrich Lanz 1905 his son Dr. Karl Lanz followed him managing the company, which in the 50 years up to1909 had made more than half a million acricultural machines. 4000 workers were employed on a area of almost half a square kilometer, one-third of which was covered with buildings.

The first tractor with 9 kW (12 HP) and an engine running with crude oil dates from 1909. Someone at the plant must have seen the shape of a bulldog in it and so 'Lanz Bulldog' is a very often used expression until today. It was the beginning of a long production line with the so called 'hot bulb' engine. It can be operated with any fuel, but in this case it is a two-stroke diesel engine.

One of the main disadvantages is the procedure, to have to heat the hot bulb externally before the engine can be started successfully. 01/16