Are you a car lover, precisely a BMW lover? Then you have come to the right place. Explore the significance of BMW logo meaning and where it came from.
Almost every Manchester driver recognizes the BMW logo just by seeing it. But only a few goes deeper into the meaning of BMW logo. Most of them don’t know what it really means, what’s history behind it or where it originated from.
BMW has gained fame for its renowned car manufacturing. Today, the name “BMW” is recognized globally, celebrated around the world, and has also become synonymous with luxury, high-quality, and high-performance vehicles.
Lets explore the significance of BMW logo history and meaning
Table of contents
So What Does “BMW” Actually Mean?
BMW stands for “Bayerische Motoren Werke”, which translates to “Bavarian Motor Works” in English, which also highlights the Bavarian origins. Established in 1917, BMW logo has been evolving over time, yet the colors blue and white have remained consistent.
Some still believe in a myth that says the BMW logo symbolizes a spinning propeller, reflecting the brand’s past in aircraft engine manufacturing. However, the true significance of the BMW logo lies in its representation of the Bavarian flag colors. That is why, the blue and white emblem of BMW’s ties to Bavaria, Germany. Throughout the history of BMW, it has maintained a strong association with it’s Bavarian roots, reflecting its commitment to its tradition.
The blue and white color in the logo serves as a reminder of the company’s origin and it’s continued dedication to it’s Bavarian identity amidst global recognition and expansion. The full name of the company is BMW AG. “AG” stands for Aktiengesellschaft, meaning “an incorporation owned by shareholders”.
Lets Dive a Little Deeper Into BMW’s History
The origin of BMW, standing for “Bayerische Motoren Werke” or “Bavarian Motor Works”, started in 1917. It came from the renaming of “Rapp Motorenwerke”, an aircraft engine manufacturer based in Munich, the capital of Bavaria in southern Germany. Even though the name changed, everything within the company was still the same.
When the company was included in the commercial register in July 1917, BMW lacked a distinct logo. Similarly, its initial advertisements from the same month featured no emblem, instead highlighting its intended products.
“In the early days, the logo and its meaning were by no means as present to a broad public as they are today, as BMW had no end customers to solicit,” said Fred Jakobs. The primary focus was on producing and servicing aircraft engines for the German Air Force.
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BMW Logo Evolution Throughout The Time
1. 1913 (Rapp Motorenwerke)
First BMW vintage logo before it was changed to “BMW”, it used to be “Rapp Motorenwerke”. The logo was a round shape with a bold black border. Inside, there are two fine white stripes and two white stars divided the all-capital letter “RAPP MOTOR” wordmark. The logo of Rapp Motorenwerke had a black horse figure within. Curved along the upper and lower part of the circle were the words “RAPP” and “MOTOR”.
2. 1917 (First BMW Logo)
The first design of the iconic blue and white checkered logo was designed in 1917. It was a thick black framing with a thin gold outline and “BMW” letters in a rounded serif typeface curved along its upper part.
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3. 1933
In 1933, the logo was modified and modernized by making the gold line bold, which made the logo clear and bright. And as for the typeface, It was made bold serif for an improved smooth and sleeker design. This gave the logo a more sophisticated and elegant look.
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4. 1953
BMW replaced the gold with a light silver color in the logo, and they changed the shades too. The white stayed, but they replaced the blue with a light sky blue color, similar to turquoise. The outline of the logo also changed to a more thinner line. This logo stayed with the company for almost 20 years.
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5. 1963
The BMW logo was redesigned again, got sharper lines, and the typeface was changed to bold sans-serif typography in white. Inside, it wasn’t so bright or colorful but simple dark blue and white. The circle and “BMW” contrasted against the black circle, creating a clear, catchy logo that shows power and trust.
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6. 1997
In 1997, the logo gets a three dimensional look. The colors and everything was still the same except a black line was drawn for the inner part of blue and white to separate the color. This gave the logo a more modern and professional look.
7. 2020
This is the latest logo of BMW, a very simple and minimalist design. It has a flat design, the black framing has changed to grey as outline with a transparent background and for the type face its changed to grey color as well. And for the center part of the logo, it is the same, with blue and white.
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The Mystery Behind The Color Of BMW Symbol
The BMW’s colors, like blue and white, represent Bavaria and Munich, Germany. These colors have been consistent over time but sometimes it changed a bit to match what people like. Changing the font color from gold to silver was important because it showed BMW that more people want to buy their cars. This change also showed BMW could change with the times and bring new ideas. BMW uses these colors to show its history, new ideas, and what it wants to do in the future.
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Conclusion
So now you know the significance and BMW logo meaning. Its such an old company, from manufacturing aircraft to manufacturing high-quality cars. The company has developed a lot throughout these years.
As we continue to witness BMW’s evolution and groundbreaking advancements, let the symbolism of the logo remind us of the brand’s amazing journey and its enduring legacy in shaping the future of mobility and manufacturing.
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