BMW wasn’t originally a car manufacturer 

BMW is the dream car of many of us. But BMW did not always make exotic cars and motorcycles. In fact, it started with making engines for aircraft that Germans used as far back as the World War. Later, after its facilities were bombed, BMW turned to manufacture motorcycles, followed by cars. If you look carefully at BMW’s iconic logo, it is often said to be a stylised representation of aircraft propeller blades.  

The inception 
Can you guess what BMW stands for? Well, the answer is Bayerische Motoren Werke or Bavarian Motor Works. The name harks back to the company’s origin in the German state of Bavaria. The company originated in 1916 as Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke, a builder of aircraft engines, but assumed the name Bayerische Motoren Werke in 1917. In fact, BMW’s first product was a straight-six aircraft engine named the BMW Illa. The company’s aircraft engines became quite popular during the first World War because of their fuel efficiency and ability to perform well in high altitudes. But when the war ended, it brought a halt to the construction of aircraft engines, as the Treaty of Versailles (the peace treaty of the first world war) forbade Germany from building them. This was when the company shifted focus to other categories such as automobiles.  

Shift to automobiles  
BMW began producing motorcycles in the 1920s and entered the automobile business in 1928. The company’s R32 motorcycle set a world speed record that remained unbroken until 1937. Amazing, isn’t it? 

During the second World War, BMW again built airplane engines, used by Luftwaffe,  Germany’s air force. But sadly, BMW's factories were heavily bombed during the war, and its remaining facilities were banned from producing motor vehicles or aircraft. After the war, the company tried to move into the small-car market but found that it could not compete effectively against its competitor Volkswagen’s compact, inexpensive autos. By 1959, the company was high in losses but then German entrepreneur Herbert Quandt poured in funds.  

Establishing itself as a premium car maker 
BMW introduced its 700 series in 1959, soon followed by the equally successful 1500 model in 1961. At about the same time, the company introduced a new series of motorcycles that were particularly popular in the United States. BMW was firmly established as a premium automobile brand by the end of the 20th century. BMW again saw great success with its British Mini in 2001 and another British brand, Rolls-Royce, became part of BMW in 2003. It has produced many successful high-end models since then. Some of its great offerings included – M1, M3, 3 series, X5, M5, i3 and M2. Which one is your favourite? 

The BMW logo  
Do you know where the blue and white colours come from in its logo? Well, BMW’s logo dates back to 1917. BMW took on the roundness of the Rapp Motors’ logo (the company with which it merged in 1917) and the lettering around the circle, eventually adding the colours of the Bavarian Flag, which are blue and white checkers.