BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General BMW News and Cars Discussion
 
BPM
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-05-2010, 08:10 PM   #1
Mark
Administrator
Mark's Avatar
6670
Rep
4,201
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Official Video: The Origin of the BMW Logo

There has been some recent resurgence in the conversation surrounding the actual origins of the BMW Logo. Do the colors represent the colors of the bavarian flag in reverse? Or does it originate from early BMW marketing posters that links BMW to airplane engines and the spinning propeller against a blue sky? Watch the video and find out

Here is an interesting artcle on the BMW Roundel as well: roundel-myth.pdf

__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2010, 08:16 PM   #2
DougLikesBMW
Fapmin
DougLikesBMW's Avatar
399
Rep
2,660
Posts

Drives: '03 E46 330Ci
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Plano, Texas

iTrader: (0)

I've been meaning to bring this up since I just recently found out from a BMW production show on TV that it is actually the colors of the Bavarian Flag. Hell, even BMW told customers for years that it was a propeller on blue skies.
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2010, 08:56 PM   #3
Berduderunner
drk one
Berduderunner's Avatar
United_States
38
Rep
797
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Tampa/Orlando

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 e90 335i  [0.00]
2008 135i  [0.00]
they didn't actually say why they chose the quartered design... just explained the color choice

So it's NOT representative of a spinning propeller?
__________________
Jet Black | Coral | HighGlossBlack | Steptronic | Premium | Sport | Comfort | ActiveSteering | Navi | HiFi | HD | iPod | SAT
BMS JB3 v2.0 | BMS DCI | Berk Tech Sport Exhaust | UR * DPs | CoolingMist Meth Kit w/ CMGS | H&R OE Sport Springs | Breyton GTS-R | Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs | GP Thunder 8000K Low Beams/Angel Eyes/Cornering Lights | LED Interior Light Kit | Window Tint | Smoked Tail Lights | Smoked License Plate Cover
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2010, 08:58 PM   #4
Mark
Administrator
Mark's Avatar
6670
Rep
4,201
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Berduderunner View Post
they didn't actually say why they chose the quartered design... just explained the color choice

So it's NOT representative of a spinning propeller?
Nope its not. The quartered design comes from the flag of bavaria.

__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2010, 09:08 PM   #5
Crazy Bimmer
The Jesal
Crazy Bimmer's Avatar
United_States
391
Rep
5,859
Posts

Drives: E90 M3
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chicago IL

iTrader: (20)

Garage List
2009 BMW M3  [0.00]
Great find!
__________________
2009 E90 M3 - SOLD
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2010, 09:16 PM   #6
Oulixes
Lieutenant Colonel
Oulixes's Avatar
22
Rep
1,938
Posts

Drives: 330xi, 335i
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Terra Borealis

iTrader: (0)

The video does not offer an unequivocal statement of what the roundel represents, but it rather goes through history of BMW all the way to the Rapp Motorenwerke origin. The video says that the roundel color scheme is the same as that of the Bavarian coat of arms, but it does not say clearly that the Bavarian colors in the roundel are used to represent a spinning propeller. The BMW entry in Wiki (http://www.bmwdrives.com/bmw-history.php) is not so shy - it clearly refers to the aircraft origin of the badge, showing the same 1920 black-and-white image of an aircraft in flight as that in the video. It is possible that the company might now try to soften references to its aircraft engine origin, lest the roundel-carrying car owners who are in the fear of flying be concerned that their ultimate driving machine might take off and perform Immelmanns.
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2010, 09:50 PM   #7
ilidon
Major
ilidon's Avatar
United_States
59
Rep
1,036
Posts

Drives: F13 M6
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: L.I., NY

iTrader: (10)

Garage List
2009 335i  [7.00]
wow finally! thanks mark!
__________________
F13 ///M6 SMB/SO
E92 ///M3 AW/FR- Sold
E92 335i MB/BLK- Sold

[IMG]http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=133578
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2010, 10:05 PM   #8
DougLikesBMW
Fapmin
DougLikesBMW's Avatar
399
Rep
2,660
Posts

Drives: '03 E46 330Ci
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Plano, Texas

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Oulixes View Post
The video does not offer an unequivocal statement of what the roundel represents, but it rather goes through history of BMW all the way to the Rapp Motorenwerke origin. The video says that the roundel color scheme is the same as that of the Bavarian coat of arms, but it does not say clearly that the Bavarian colors in the roundel are used to represent a spinning propeller. The BMW entry in Wiki (http://www.bmwdrives.com/bmw-history.php) is not so shy - it clearly refers to the aircraft origin of the badge, showing the same 1920 black-and-white image of an aircraft in flight as that in the video. It is possible that the company might now try to soften references to its aircraft engine origin, lest the roundel-carrying car owners who are in the fear of flying be concerned that their ultimate driving machine might take off and perform Immelmanns.
Lol..

By the way, BMW's CEO said in one of those factory tour shows that it was indeed the Bavarian Flag.
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2010, 10:40 PM   #9
NewYearsBoy
Colonel
NewYearsBoy's Avatar
United_States
68
Rep
2,352
Posts

Drives: IS 300
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Bradenton FL

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Wow... sounds great..
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------

"Speed never killed anyone its very important to get that straight, Speed has never killed a soul. Suddenly becoming stationary thats what gets people." - Jeremy Clarkson
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2010, 11:07 PM   #10
nyknickfan
Private First Class
nyknickfan's Avatar
11
Rep
151
Posts

Drives: 2008 Alpine White 335i Sedan
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

that kidney grill evolution was dopee
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2010, 11:59 PM   #11
zoom335is
Banned
zoom335is's Avatar
Canada
16
Rep
178
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW E92 335is
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Guelph Ontario Canada

iTrader: (0)

Bavarian Motor Works duh.

They could have used a better shot in the video regarding the application of the logo on the hood. She struggles with it and just looks bad wobbling back and forth as she tries to put it on...ah they could have used a better shot.


..and after seeing the bavarian flag a few years ago for the first time I was like "oh of course, thats where the logo came from, Bavarian Motor Works duh." And the propeller theory died.
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2010, 12:24 AM   #12
NL-J
First Lieutenant
NL-J's Avatar
Netherlands
21
Rep
313
Posts

Drives: F82 M4
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NL

iTrader: (0)

Nice video

Here's also a nice history timeline,

http://www.bmweducation.co.uk/coFacts/view.asp?docID=66
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2010, 01:19 AM   #13
MCMLXXXIX
wat
MCMLXXXIX's Avatar
235
Rep
3,406
Posts

Drives: a gr3at whit3 5hark
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Oct 2008

iTrader: (0)

always had faith in the flag. good to know the question has been answered! great video
__________________

2012 Toyota Highlander SE - PAST - 2008 e92 335i, 2006 e90 325i
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2010, 03:04 AM   #14
my92
Guest
0
Rep
n/a
Posts

Drives:


Have any of you guys been to Disney California Adventure? There's a ride there...I'm not exactly sure which ride or if it was maybe the car museum there but it explains that the roundel is actually the design of the propeller but the color choice is that of the bavarian flag. It's been like more than like 6 years so i'm not sure if it's still there but that's something i remember from my child hood


here's a link that describes the logo, not sure how legit it is but the picture sure does seem to be legit.

http://thinkingouttabox.wordpress.co...-of-car-logos/


Scroll down to BMW


edit: LOL at VW being derived from the Nazi Swastika
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2010, 09:39 AM   #15
antzcrashing
Brigadier General
antzcrashing's Avatar
United_States
1875
Rep
3,201
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW 440i GC
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern MA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougLikesBMW View Post
Lol..

By the way, BMW's CEO said in one of those factory tour shows that it was indeed the Bavarian Flag.

I should add that during a BMW research facility tour (Munich), we were told it was due to the airplane propellers. However, the next day when we went to the BMW museum, they called this a myth! and that it is derived from the Bavarian colors - which I do believe to be true

It was surprising that even inside BMW there seems to be debate (or misunderstanding) about this
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2010, 10:11 AM   #16
Sylon
Brigadier General
Sylon's Avatar
United_States
188
Rep
3,435
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i, SG/CR, 6MT, M-Sport
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Michigan / Ohio

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 135i  [9.20]
BMW was not allowed to use the exact design of the Bavarian flag for their logo, it was against German law to use a national symbol as a form of marketing. So thats why they changed the angle of the blue and white squares from the Bavarian flag to use in their logo. Technically it uses the same colors as the flag, but the design is different. Thats why the colors and shapes are configured in that (+) style way.
__________________

2011 BMW 135i | Space Gray | ///M-Sport | BMW CCA #450291
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Twitter
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2010, 11:11 AM   #17
00000000
_
00000000's Avatar
6
Rep
31
Posts

Drives: F30 335i M Sport
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Frankfurt, Germany

iTrader: (0)

Hopefully this will end the debate... though it probably won't.
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2010, 12:01 PM   #18
Minimization
Private First Class
Minimization's Avatar
United_States
14
Rep
155
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW M5 Sedan SMG III
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA

iTrader: (0)

I friend who did his Marketing M.B.A. at Eli at MSU told me Harvard Business School did a whole thing on how it was based on the propeller. Don't believe everything Harvard U. tries to tell you!!!

Knew it was the flag since day one when I learned about 19th century German unification in 10th grade history class and saw all the pictures of the German state flags...

Thanks for posting this.
__________________
2006 BMW M5 Sedan
SMG III
Silverstone Metallic/Black Perforated Merino/Aluminum,
X2/4MA/610/322/453/655/416/465/261/496
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2010, 12:03 PM   #19
han405
Second Lieutenant
10
Rep
203
Posts

Drives: E46 M3, E92 M3
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PA

iTrader: (0)

National Geographic channel made a TV documentary regarding to the BMW factory in Spartanburg (one of the Ultimate Factories Series), in there, they interviewed an important figure from BMW, and he very clearly stated that the BMW logo does NOT represent the spinning propeller as BMW told others previously.

It simply is derived from the Bavarian flag..

http://channel.nationalgeographic.co.../3326/Overview
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2010, 12:03 PM   #20
sb335is
Captain
86
Rep
736
Posts

Drives: fast
Join Date: May 2010
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Crevier BMW's personal classic collection has posters on the wall with a timeline of origin from bmw's birth to now. His first poster talks about the roundel coming from their aviation history.

Im not confirming nor denying.. But Donny Crevier really knows his shit.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2010, 12:53 PM   #21
han405
Second Lieutenant
10
Rep
203
Posts

Drives: E46 M3, E92 M3
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by twoturboz View Post
Crevier BMW's personal classic collection has posters on the wall with a timeline of origin from bmw's birth to now. His first poster talks about the roundel coming from their aviation history.

Im not confirming nor denying.. But Donny Crevier really knows his shit.
Well, then Crevier and his poster dropped the ball on this one.
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2010, 12:57 PM   #22
RussRamz
M Slut
RussRamz's Avatar
United_States
18
Rep
564
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3 Coupe Mineral White
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Adenau, GE via 3 years in dreadful El Paso, TX

iTrader: (0)

It is based on the flag of Bayern (Bavaria). Everyone here in Germany knows this.
__________________
You have to be 100% behind someone before you can stab them in the back.

David Brent
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:28 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST