German Engineering being high quality is somewhat of a trope, and given the success of Germany's luxury auto makers, and being the father land to many high profile, important engineers like Wernher Von Braun, this is no surprise to me. I also am reasonably sure some of the success was due to stringent regulations and the apprentice system in place; however, I'm wondering what social pressures led to this, and especially what events historically may have caused Germans and Germany to stand out!

I want to know culturly why this happened in Germany, instead of for example France being known for engineering (not saying they are bad engineers). Was this all random chance, and a matter of it was bound to happen or was it something else?

Thanks!