Adam Opel

Adam Opel (May 9, 1837 - September 8, 1895) was the founder of the German car-maker Opel.

Born in 1838 in the town of Rüsselsheim, Germany near Frankfurt, he began his career in a locksmith apprenticeship. He traveled across Europe as a teenager, and became fascinated by sewing machines. In 1863 he opened a factory in Rüsselsheim to mass-produce these machines.

In 1868, Opel married Sophie Marie Scheller. They would have five sons: Carl, Wilhelm, Heinrich, Friedrich and Ludwig. All five would eventually become involved in the growing family business.

In 1885, Opel expanded into building pre-assembled bicycles.

He died in 1895, with his company the leader in European sewing machines sales and producing over 2,000 bicycles yearly.

Source
Opel's official biography