BMW Motorrad will be celebrating its 96th anniversary this October. And, its iconic logo has its own share of story:
The BMW logo was actually registered more than 97 years ago and has since gone on to become one of the world’s most recognized commercial symbols.
Many people believe the design is connected with aircraft engines because of the apparent ‘spinning propellers’ but this is just a myth, as the interesting history of the Roundel reveals!
In July 1917, Franz Josef Popp registered the name Bayerische Motoren Werke, thus distancing the new company from the former Rapp Motorenwerke aero engine company. This was a necessary move if the new company was to find new clients and prosper. But however, the name was registered there wasn’t yet a new logo.
On October 5, 1917 the BMW trademark was officially registered with the circular design of the Rapp logo but with the letters BMW at the top of the outer ring. The inner parts featured the still ongoing shades of blue and white.
But despite its registration, the logo was somewhat in limited use prior to October 1, 1917, when Franz Josef Popp was certified on his appointment as General Manager and who adorned the wheel with the now familiar BMW Roundel.
Today, the BMW logo is ranked in the top 10 of the world’s most recognized commercial logos and is an iconic symbol in its own right.
And as a sound matter of merit, the original design of this iconic brand has bravely stood the test of time.
