BMW logo

The company «Bayerische Motoren Werke AG» was founded in 1916 in Munich by the union of two small businesses — «Rapp-Flugmotoren Werke» and «Otto-Werke». These establishments had been producing aircraft engines since 1913.

After the association of aircraft manufacturing companies, established in 1913 by Karl Friedrich Rapp and Gustav Otto, they merged into a single concern, «BMW». In 1917 the new firm got a logotype, which is used today without any changes.

BMW Motorcycle History

The company Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) produced stylish motorcycles that were in high demand. In its history, there were even moments when motorcycle production was on the verge of stopping. But BMW has always acted on its plan and, as a result, produced a number of the most excellent multipurpose motorcycles ever made.

1913	Bayerische Motoren Werke is formed, specializing in the production of aircraft engines.
1919	A few weeks later, the Treaty of Versailles was signed, according to which Germany was forbidden to produce aircraft. BMW had no choice but to start producing motorcycles.
1920	Developed the two-stroke Kurier engine.
1921	Developed the M2B15 motorcycle model, which used the first BMW motorcycle engine, also known as the "Boxer."
1923	Legendary BMW designer Max Fritz locked himself at home and created drawings for a completely new motorcycle. The R32 model with a 486 cc engine was demonstrated in Paris. The new model could reach speeds of about 100 km/h.
1925	Released the racing version of the R32 under the index R37. The R37 model began to feature front brakes, which were subsequently used on the R32 as well.
1927	BMW developed the R47 motorcycle model, intended to replace the R32, R37, and R39.
1928	BMW began to produce the largest motorcycle of its time, the R62, with a 750 cc engine capable of reaching a speed of 114 km/h.
1930	The economic crisis in Germany forced BMW to start producing a small R2 motorcycle with a 198 cc engine. The peculiarity of the engine was its unusual crankcase design. Small motorcycles with engines up to 200 cc in Germany did not require a license to drive, so the R2 reached sales of 15,000 units.
1932	They released the R4 motorcycle model. It featured a single-cylinder engine with an overhead valve arrangement of 398 cc.
1933	The German army concluded a contract with BMW to produce R4 motorcycles for its needs, which allowed the company to stay afloat during the Great Depression.
1935	Production of the R12 motorcycle with an engine capacity of 745 cc began.
1936	The Model R5 became the first BMW motorcycle with running boards. Also, production of the R7 model began with an engine capacity of 500 cc, capable of reaching a speed of 140 km/h.
1938	Starting with the R61, BMW began to install footrests on their entire range of motorcycles. This year, production began for six new motorcycle models, including the R23, R51, R66, and R71.
1941	BMW began production of the R75 motorcycle, specially designed for military use. The US military was impressed by the capabilities of the R75 and the similar Zündapp model. Captured German bikes were sent to Harley-Davidson and Indian plants to start producing motorcycles with similar characteristics. Some 1,000 prototypes were produced, but they were never actively used.
1946	At the end of World War II, BMW stopped producing motorcycles and concentrated on the development and production of bicycles.
1948	BMW started producing again. The R24 became the first model on the assembly line. It used a 250 cc engine, the maximum allowed under the peace treaty at that time.
1949	BMW started producing new R50/2 and R51/2 motorcycle models. The quality of the motorcycle assembly was low.
1950	Production of the R25 model began, featuring rear hydraulic shock absorbers.
1952	BMW started producing the R67 motorcycle with an engine capacity of 600 cc.
1953	Production of the RS series of motorcycles began. Motorcycles were equipped with a swingarm suspension. The RS54 Rennsport motorcycle appeared.
1954	The team consisting of Wilhelm Noll and Fritz Crone won the World Sidecar Championship.
1955	Production of the R50, intended to replace the R51/3, began.
1957	The number of motorcycles produced fell from 23,531 in 1955 to 5,429 in 1959 due to the economic crisis.
1960	Production of the classic R69 began. It became the fastest motorcycle, reaching a speed of 175 km/h.
1967	Special export versions of the R60 and R69 motorcycles were developed for the North American market. These motorcycle models for the period from 1961 to 1968 were not launched into production.
1969	Production of a new series of motorcycles equipped with an electric starter began.
1973	BMW celebrated its fiftieth anniversary and produced its 500,000th motorcycle off the assembly line. The release of the R90S model with an engine volume of 900 cc began. Production of the /6 series of motorcycles began. Motorcycles were equipped with engines of 600, 700, and 900 cc.
1974	For the first time, BMW started to install a five-speed gearbox on production motorcycles.
1976	Production of the /7 series of motorcycles began, including the R100/7 model with a 1000 cc engine. Production of the R100RS motorcycle also began, equipped with a similar 1000 cc engine and reaching a maximum speed of 200 km/h.
1977	Production of the R80/7 model began, which became the leader among police motorcycles.
1978	Production of the R100RT touring motorcycle with an aerodynamic fairing began. Although the R45 model with a 473 cc engine also appeared.
1980	Production of the enduro R80G/S with an 800 cc engine began.
1981	Hubert Auriol won the third Paris-Dakar rally on a BMW R80G/S motorcycle specially prepared for harsh conditions.
1982	BMW began to produce a road version of the R80G/S - the R80RT.
1983	Production of the K100 motorcycle began - this was the first K-model with a liquid-cooled engine.
1985	BMW created its first K75 motorcycle model with a three-cylinder engine.
1986	BMW radically upgraded the R100RS, using a monoshock rear suspension.
1987	The premium-class K100LT motorcycle with an engine capacity of 1000 cc was presented.
1988	Production of the R100G/S began, known as the largest enduro in the world due to its weight of 210 kg.
1989	Production of the K1 model began.
1990	Production of the K100RS motorcycle with a four-valve engine began. ABS was installed on all K-series models.
1991	The millionth BMW motorcycle was produced, which was a three-cylinder K75RT model.
1993	Production of the sports tourer R1100RS began, which used a fuel-injected two-cylinder eight-valve engine.
1994	For the first time in 30 years, a motorcycle was produced with a single-cylinder engine, the F650 Funduro.
1995	This was the last year when traditional two-valve boxer engines were produced.
1996	Production began of the powerful four-cylinder K1200RS motorcycle, with a liquid-cooled engine.
1997	BMW started producing its first cruiser, the R1200C. Even though this model was James Bond's choice, this did not add to the popularity of the motorcycle. After several years, production was discontinued.
1999	Richard Sainct won the Paris-Dakar Rally on the "Funduro," equipped with a single-cylinder 650 cc engine. Officially, this model was called the F650RR.
2000	Production of the R1150GS and the premium touring motorcycle K1200LT began.
2004	The R1200GS began to feature a new, lighter, and more powerful engine. The K1200S was an entirely new motorcycle for a conservative manufacturer like BMW. The K1200S used a standard four-cylinder engine, which produced 165 horsepower.
2007	There were rumors about the preparation of the S1000RR motorcycle, with a four-cylinder liter-class engine, which planned to participate in the World Superbike Championship in 2009.

BMW Logo History

Until recently, the history of the origin of the BMW logo had no confirmed facts or evidence of the true origins of the emblem. Today, many people believe that the BMW logo originated from the parent company founded by Karl Rapp. But in fact, this is not true.

The aircraft designer and engineer Karl Rapp worked for Flugwerk Deutschland and was actually the head of the company. The company was engaged in the production and sale of aircraft. However, the shareholders of the company decided to liquidate it and terminate Karl’s services. On October 28, 1913, Karl Rapp and his partner Julius Auspitzer purchased the production facilities of Flugwerk Deutschland and founded their own company, Karl Rapp Motorenwerke GmbH.

The history of BMW begins with two small aircraft engine firms, created respectively by Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto (the son of Nikolaus August Otto, the inventor of the internal combustion engine) in 1913 in Munich. In 1914 The First World War began, and the German state began to experience a great need for aircraft engines. This moved the two designers to unite in one big factory. In July 1917, this plant was officially registered under the name of Bayerische Motoren Werke, and the BMW brand came into being.

When Karl Rapp Motorenwerke GmbH developed into BMW AG, they wanted the new BMW logo to be based on their previous logo. The Rapp logo was made in the form of a circle where the inscription “Rapp” was printed on top, and “Motor” was printed below; there was a figure of a horse in the middle of the logo.

The new BMW company used the shape of the Rapp logo and the letter placement, but filled the center with white and blue colors.

It is commonly believed that there have been 5 stages of change in the history of the logo, namely: 1917 (the very first logo), 1933, 1953, 1979, and the current version of the modern 3D logo since 2000.

1917	The BMW logo of 1917 There were white and blue colors inside the logo, and gold edging on the circle and between the inner circles. The lettering was also made in gold.
1933	The BMW logo of 1933 The colors inside the logo remained the same. The edging along the contour lines of the logo and inside was increased. The BMW lettering was changed to a bolder and clearer font.
1953	The BMW logo of 1953 The company moved away from the gold color in the logo, using white for the logo moldings instead. The company inscription returned to the 1917 font, but slightly bolder and in white. A pale blue color was used instead of deep blue in the middle of the logo.
1979	The BMW logo of 1979 The font color remained white, but the font itself was changed to a more modern, sans serif style. The deep blue color returned to the middle of the logo.
2000	The BMW logo of 2000 A modern version of the logo made in 3D style.

The basic elements of the logo have not changed throughout the company’s existence:

1. Circle
2. BMW inscription along the contour of the circle
3. Two colors in the middle of the logo which are oppositely located.

Why is the BMW Logo Blue and White

Another myth concerns the colors filling the center of the logo. Many people believe that the white and blue colors are associated with the sky, and taking into account the history of the company, associated with aircraft manufacturing, and that is why these two colors are present. In fact, these colors were present on the flag of the Free State of Bavaria (which is still a part of Germany today), where the production of the company was located. The Blue and White colors were in the opposite order because, at that time, it was forbidden to use national symbols in trademarks.

BMW logo meaning

[caption id=“attachment_6220” align=“aligncenter” width=“400”] BMW logo propeller in the journal in 1929[/caption]

The myth that the modern BMW logo is a legacy of aviation companies appeared after advertising in a magazine published in 1929, which depicted a plane with a rotating propeller showing the letters BMW. This advertising appeared at a time when BMW acquired a license for the creation of Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, and the advertising department wanted to use the Roundel and the name of BMW in an attempt to increase sales of its engines.

[caption id=“attachment_6221” align=“aligncenter” width=“400”] BMW logo propeller in the journal in 1942[/caption]

Later, this myth was perpetuated, namely after an article appeared in the BMW magazine in 1942, where a plane with the rotating propeller was also shown.

New BMW Logo

We are all used to the blue and white BMW logo, which is often called a “propeller”, although it represents the flag of Bavaria. But soon we will have to get used to a new variation. The most expensive and luxurious models from this carmaker will get a new black-and-white logo, which will be accompanied by the inscription “Bayerische Motoren Werke”.

We are talking about several flagship models in different segments. These are the 8 Series coupe, the large BMW X7 crossover, and the BMW i8 hybrid coupe.

By the way, it is the first time in BMW history that the German automaker will use two logo variants on their cars.

Emblem BMW

The emblem resembles the propeller of a military aircraft. Regarding the color selection, there are two theories. The first variant is propeller blades against the blue sky. The second is connected with the old tradition of painting military aircraft in the colors of the flag of the region (the main colors of the Bavarian flag are white and blue).

«The sky will reflect on your car hood» is an official advertising slogan of «BMW». But not everyone knows that automobiles of this firm really come «out of the sky». In the 19th and early 20th centuries, any vehicle, including the car, was an expensive luxury. Many automobile companies started their careers producing bicycles and their components, motorcycles, aircraft engines, and even the first planes. BMW, although it was carefully hidden, belongs to the latter.

Pay attention to the modern logotype of the company. The circle, divided into 4 segments, is a «rotating propeller». This is a masked reference to the firm’s very first occupation (production of aircraft engines). The main colors are white and blue (the primary colors of the Bavarian flag).