True Origin of the BMW Roundel Logo - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Jason · 05-17-2012, 06:02 PM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

True Origin of the BMW Roundel Logo

43
COMMENTS

Name: BMW-vintage-roundel-623x389-small.jpg
Views: 13069
Size: 55.2 KB

For more than 90 years, the blue and white roundel has represented and symbolized BMW. But do you know the true origin of the BMW roundel?

Many think that the roundel symbolizes a spinning airplane propeller blade - from the days when BMW built aircraft engine in the early 20th century, but that's not so. Find out the real history behind the blue and white roundel in this video as Kai Jacobson, BMW's in-house historian explains the origin of one of the world's most recognizable logos today.

Evolution of the BMW Roundel

Name: bmwlogos.jpg
Views: 13852
Size: 23.2 KB

Share this story

OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE

BMW 5 Series history. The third generation. E34.

All Four M3 Generations (E30, E36, E46, E90) At The Track - Ignition Episode

Is the E30 M3 the Most Overhyped Classic? AFTER/DRIVE Discusses

Cuz5150 · 05-27-2012, 11:23 AM

SD Z4MR · 05-27-2012, 11:33 AM

Pretty hard to refute info from the most authoritative source on the matter.

Everything else is speculative folklore.

Arena Motor Dude · 05-27-2012, 11:39 AM

I like the idea of the propeller... much more exciting. Oh well, still good to know!

SomeRandomer123 · 05-27-2012, 11:52 AM

That woman couldn't get the roundel onto that 7 Series properly!

Interesting though!

335iJWC · 05-27-2012, 12:12 PM

Interesting

M-Power111 · 05-27-2012, 01:36 PM

very good

Shane550X · 05-27-2012, 01:50 PM

ðŸš™I would have never known

car_fan · 05-27-2012, 02:16 PM

If one doesn't know the origins of the roundel and/or the association with BMW's history in aeronautics - they should have their "roundel(s)" consficated - LOL

Caspian · 05-27-2012, 02:19 PM

I don't think the tie to the previous logo border necessarily excludes the center being a representation of a propeller. They didn't describe the thought process going in to the blue and white, just stating that they were the Bavarian national colors.

Why not horizontal or vertical stripes? Why not the diamond shapes often used in Bavaria?

Unless there is a documentation of the process of developing the new logo, we can't state definitively where the inspiration came from. I think there is still a good chance it was inspired by a propeller.

My $.02

Cheers,

LD

Maz335i · 05-27-2012, 02:29 PM

Very cool...

tony20009 · 05-27-2012, 02:35 PM

Interesting. Thanks.

So BMW kept the logo, but ditched any hopes of producing economy cars. LOL Just as well; I don't want an economy car.

Adriansideways · 05-27-2012, 02:36 PM

Agreed why soon after do they superimpose the logo onto the plane there had to be some thought there?!

Ali@BMWMt.laurel · 05-27-2012, 03:22 PM

good stuff. many people do not know the true history.

burrito007 · 05-27-2012, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caspian

I don't think the tie to the previous logo border necessarily excludes the center being a representation of a propeller. They didn't describe the thought process going in to the blue and white, just stating that they were the Bavarian national colors.

Why not horizontal or vertical stripes? Why not the diamond shapes often used in Bavaria?

Unless there is a documentation of the process of developing the new logo, we can't state definitively where the inspiration came from. I think there is still a good chance it was inspired by a propeller.

My $.02

Cheers,

LD

came in here to post this. the video/manual have told us nothing about why they picked the blue/white checker pattern to replace the horse. i never was inspired by the black outer circle thinking "wow black outer circle must be a propeller" - the inside white/blue however . . .

L8*Apex · 05-27-2012, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caspian

I don't think the tie to the previous logo border necessarily excludes the center being a representation of a propeller. They didn't describe the thought process going in to the blue and white, just stating that they were the Bavarian national colors.

Why not horizontal or vertical stripes? Why not the diamond shapes often used in Bavaria?

Unless there is a documentation of the process of developing the new logo, we can't state definitively where the inspiration came from. I think there is still a good chance it was inspired by a propeller.

My $.02

Cheers,

LD

Ya, you're probably right. The in house historian for BMW probably got it wrong. You should send him an email and let him know that your 2 pennies are way more correct than his silly "facts".

Seagull · 05-27-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L8*Apex

Ya, you're probably right. The in house historian for BMW probably got it wrong. You should send him an email and let him know that your 2 pennies are way more correct than his silly "facts".

+1

There's a reason why he calls it myth.

j0hn · 05-27-2012, 05:39 PM

heh, saw this a while ago through the bp subscription on youtube

M3 Adjuster · 05-27-2012, 06:32 PM

I Learned something today.

EINSER M · 05-27-2012, 06:50 PM

awesome 411

OdomPHD · 05-27-2012, 07:24 PM

The history of BMW is interesting, to be sure. I enjoyed seeing the evolution of the logo.

lkw15 · 05-27-2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L8*Apex

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caspian

I don't think the tie to the previous logo border necessarily excludes the center being a representation of a propeller. They didn't describe the thought process going in to the blue and white, just stating that they were the Bavarian national colors.

Why not horizontal or vertical stripes? Why not the diamond shapes often used in Bavaria?

Unless there is a documentation of the process of developing the new logo, we can't state definitively where the inspiration came from. I think there is still a good chance it was inspired by a propeller.

My $.02

Cheers,

LD

Ya, you're probably right. The in house historian for BMW probably got it wrong. You should send him an email and let him know that your 2 pennies are way more correct than his silly "facts".

But what's funny is that in other BMW collateral (namely the video and booklet that came with my car) they do mention the propeller.

05-17-2012, 06:02 PM	#1
Jason Administrator Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: IoT Posts: 13,977 iTrader: (0)	True Origin of the BMW Roundel Logo BIMMERPOST NEWS True Origin of the BMW Roundel Logo 43 COMMENTS Tweet For more than 90 years, the blue and white roundel has represented and symbolized BMW. But do you know the true origin of the BMW roundel? Many think that the roundel symbolizes a spinning airplane propeller blade - from the days when BMW built aircraft engine in the early 20th century, but that's not so. Find out the real history behind the blue and white roundel in this video as Kai Jacobson, BMW's in-house historian explains the origin of one of the world's most recognizable logos today. Evolution of the BMW Roundel Share this story OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE BMW 5 Series history. The third generation. E34. All Four M3 Generations (E30, E36, E46, E90) At The Track - Ignition Episode Is the E30 M3 the Most Overhyped Classic? AFTER/DRIVE Discusses
	Tweet

05-27-2012, 11:23 AM	#2
Cuz5150 Major Drives: 06-M3ZHP/04-M3 Vert/02Duc998 Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,019 iTrader: (0)	__________________ -Diplomacy is saying, "nice doggie while trying to find a rock"- 04-M3 vert-Black/Imolla/6MT/Cold/Xenon/HK/ 06-M3 Cp-Mystic/Black/6MT/Comp/Xenon/HK/ 09-135i- AW/Bk-Lette/6MT/M-pac/Nav/Hi-Fi/Usb-Ipod/SOLD

05-27-2012, 11:33 AM	#3
SD Z4MR (formerly SD 335is) Drives: '06 Z4 M Rdstr \| '11 335is E92 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 492 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 335is Coupe [0.00] 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster [4.50]	Pretty hard to refute info from the most authoritative source on the matter. Everything else is speculative folklore. __________________ Mine: 2006 Z4 Roadster \| Interlagos Blue Metallic \| Black Extended Nappa Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim \| Premium \| Navigation \| Heated Seats \| iPod Adapter \| Purchased 7/19/12 Hers: 2011 335is Coupe \| Le Mans Blue Metallic \| Black Dakota Leather \| Dark Glacier Aluminum \| 6MT \| Premium \| Convenience \| Heated Seats \| Navigation \| Harmon Kardon \| iPod/USB \| European Delivery 5/12/11

05-27-2012, 11:39 AM	#4
Arena Motor Dude Master of ________ Drives: 2006 BMW 330xi e90 6sp Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Suburbia, Maryland Posts: 106 iTrader: (1)	I like the idea of the propeller... much more exciting. Oh well, still good to know! __________________ 2008 BMW 335i coupe, manual, Black Sapphire Metallic, OSS style blacked-out headlights w/ LED angel eyes, 3000k HID fogs, LED interior, fully coded, carbon fiber lip spoiler, front splitter, M6 replicas, Koni shocks, H&R springs, Procede 3 and DCI SOLD Current: 2006 e90 330xi 6mt

05-27-2012, 11:52 AM	#5
SomeRandomer123 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F30 328i Luxury - Sport Auto Join Date: May 2011 Location: Lancashire, North West England, UK Posts: 1,941 iTrader: (0)	That woman couldn't get the roundel onto that 7 Series properly! Interesting though! __________________ Gone: 2006 BMW E60 520d SE 6MT Gone: 2009 BMW E90-LCI 330d SE 6MT - Awesome! 28th May 2009 - 28th May 2012 Current: 2012 F30 328i Luxury 8AT - Loving it! My 328i thread!http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=712673

05-27-2012, 12:12 PM	#6
335iJWC ~~~ Drives: JB 335i-M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Simi Valley Posts: 583 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [4.50]	Interesting __________________ . ................

05-27-2012, 01:36 PM	#7
M-Power111 First Lieutenant Drives: Not a BMW....yet Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clearwater, FL USA Posts: 398 iTrader: (0)	very good __________________ BMW=

05-27-2012, 01:50 PM	#8
Shane550X Private First Class Drives: 2012 BMW 550 XDrive Sedan Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 130 iTrader: (0)	ðŸš™I would have never known

05-27-2012, 02:16 PM	#9
car_fan Captain Drives: 2012 F12 650cic / 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SoFla Posts: 660 iTrader: (0)	If one doesn't know the origins of the roundel and/or the association with BMW's history in aeronautics - they should have their "roundel(s)" consficated - LOL __________________ 2012 650cic Space Gray/Vermillon Red/Blk.Top(retired) 2011 MINI CooperS BRGII/Lounge Green/Sport/Prem/Connect/Black Xenon/Black Conical Spokes/ACS springs/ACS exhaust/Alta Shorty 2012 M3 AW/FR NDH2/2MK/ZPP/ZCP/ZCW/752/6NR/OEM CF splitters/OEM CF Mirror caps 2012 X3 35i Titanium Silver/Black ZAP/ZPP/TECH/APPS/Breyton GTS/Yokohama S.drive

05-27-2012, 02:19 PM	#10
Caspian Registered Drives: none Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	Does it really refute the propeller inspiration? I don't think the tie to the previous logo border necessarily excludes the center being a representation of a propeller. They didn't describe the thought process going in to the blue and white, just stating that they were the Bavarian national colors. Why not horizontal or vertical stripes? Why not the diamond shapes often used in Bavaria? Unless there is a documentation of the process of developing the new logo, we can't state definitively where the inspiration came from. I think there is still a good chance it was inspired by a propeller. My $.02 Cheers, LD

05-27-2012, 02:29 PM	#11
Maz335i BMW 4 Life... Drives: 2012 335i M Sport (Special Ed) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 2,510 iTrader: (0)	Very cool... __________________ MODS: * / M Sport + Performance / Meisterschaft / Challenge / MORR / more to come! *

05-27-2012, 02:35 PM	#12
tony20009 Colonel Drives: BMW 335i - Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 2,002 iTrader: (0)	Interesting. Thanks. So BMW kept the logo, but ditched any hopes of producing economy cars. LOL Just as well; I don't want an economy car. __________________ Cheers, Tony ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ '07, e92 335i, *Sparkling Graphite, Coral Leather, Aluminum, 6-speed*

05-27-2012, 02:36 PM	#13
Adriansideways Private First Class Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Pretoria Posts: 154 iTrader: (0)	Agreed why soon after do they superimpose the logo onto the plane there had to be some thought there?!

05-27-2012, 03:22 PM	#14
Ali@BMWMt.laurel BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: 2013 Active 3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: PA Posts: 2,560 iTrader: (7) Garage List 2013 BMW Active Hyb ... [0.00]	good stuff. many people do not know the true history. __________________ BMW of Mount Laurel - Client Advisor www.BMWofMtLaurel.com Largest Inventory in the Delaware Valley We are an M-Certified Dealer and DINAN Certified goldRush Rally 4 Survivor - Team Exotics Rally

05-27-2012, 05:39 PM	#18
j0hn Expired Drives: Everyday Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 17,159 iTrader: (1)	heh, saw this a while ago through the bp subscription on youtube __________________ ne te quæsiveris extra

05-27-2012, 06:32 PM	#19
M3 Adjuster Colonel Drives: 1988 M3 gone .. 1M HERE!! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 2,686 iTrader: (0)	I Learned something today. __________________ Lone Star BMW CCA Chapter president, Chief Driving Instructor

05-27-2012, 06:50 PM	#20
EINSER M Brigadier General Drives: 2011 E82 1M Join Date: May 2006 Location: 34.1064° N, 117.5922° W, 300m altitude Posts: 4,440 iTrader: (29) Garage List 2011 E82 1M \| CURRENT [3.84] 2012 E82 135 \| CURRENT [2.00] 2011 E90 335 \| CURRENT [5.00] 2006 E60 550 \| CURRENT [0.00] 2007 E85 Z4M\| SOLD [1.50] 2003 E53 X5 4.6is S ... [4.50] 2008 E92 328 \| SOLD [0.00] 2008 E82 135 \| SOLD [0.00] 2008 E90 335 \| SOLD [0.00] 2003 E46 M3 \| SOLD [3.75] 2006 E90 330 \| SOLD [5.00] 2003 E46 330ZHP \| SOLD [0.00]	awesome 411 __________________ 2011 E82 1M AW \| 419 of 740 CLICK HERE: EINSER M's Темникова E82 AW 1M build thread

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search