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Originally the engine building subsidiary of the German Zeppelin Company (Luftschiffbau Zeppelin G.m.b.H.), Maybach Motorenbau G.m.b.H. of Friedrichshafen possibly became better known by its later luxury automobiles. Maybach began manufacturing engines in 1909, following a characteristic German six-cylinder, water cooled, vertical design. These powered the World War I Zeppelin, Schutte-Lanz, and Parseval airships or airplanes such as the Rumpler C4 and C5. Development of the Maybach Model Mb Iv began in 1916. It had a high compression ratio for high-altitude flying, and powered such aircraft as the Rumple Ru C VI and C VII long-distance reconnaissance airplanes. The Treaty of Versailles curtailed the company’s activities following the war.