History of BMW

BMW to better understand today, you have to know and understand the history of BMW. The past century provides the "flavor" of BMW cars today, the ingredient that makes it so special. This "special" can almost be considered the soul of a person. BMW has a clear personality and an obsessive attention to the driving experience, the motto of "driving machine in the end." This creates a link between car and driver, which can last a lifetime.

The three magic letters to Bayerische Motoren Werke or in English, Bavarian Motor Works. "Engine" is at the heart of this symbol and is the foundation, the center around which BMW builds each product.

BMWDrives invites you to participate in this incredible journey to discover the history behind the history of BMW.

1913

Not everybody knows that BMW began as a manufacturer of aircraft engines. In 1913, Karl Friedrich Rapp Ocotber establishes "Rapp-Motorenwerke" in a former bicycle factory near Munich. Rapp was an engineer who presented with PSTN system and Daimler "Rapp Motorenwerke," created a subsidiary of JSC "Flugwerk", an aircraft manufacturer. Started manufacturing its own aircraft engines, but unfortunately, suffered problems with the way the vibration.

Karl Friedrich Rapp

BMW history: Karl Friedrich Rapp

Near the factory Rapp and Gustav Otto, son of the inventor of the four-stroke internal combustion, the creation of a small retail building an aircraft. Eight enjoys great success "by Gustav Flugmaschinefabrik".

1916

Rapp The company won a contract with Prussia and Austria-Hungary to produce 25 large V12 engines of the aircraft. Rapp Motoren Werke had problems with engine reliability that they began to buy four-cylinder engines water cooled aircraft factory Gustav Otto. In the months following the Otto absorbed. Otto Gustav "Gustav Flugmaschinefabrik" merging with "Rapp-Motorenwerke" trained "Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke" BFW or in English "Bavarian Aircraft Works"

Franz-Josef Popp, an Austrian engineer, business led Rapp. Was to obtain military contracts, while ImportNT. Popp then transformed into the present company "Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH." BMW officially recognize his birthday March 7, 1916. Shortly after the merger, Popp realized that the company expanded too quickly and need financial assistance. He turned to Camillo Castiglioni, Vienna financier, who was head of the Wiener Bankverein. Popp Castiglioni and recapitalize the company.

Franz-Josef Popp

BMW History: Franz-Josef Popp

1917

Popp and Castiglioni Rapp driven out of business who need to move away from this year.

In 1917, the first BMW engine aircraft, the type IIIA, goes into production. This is a water-cooled six-cylinder engine line, which features a unique "high carb" engineer Max Friz developed bychief allowing you to develop full power at altitude. Max Friz was the engineering of large spirit that dominates the culture of product development for BMW in the 1960's.

Popp has convinced the German government to buy the BMW IIIa.

1918

In 1918, the engine powered a biplane to 5,000 meters above sea level in just 29 minutes. It was an impressive performance in the history of BMW, which led to a strong demand for BMW engines.

"Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH" is BMW AG (The German term Aktiengesellschaft means a company limited by shares, is owned by shareholders. It can be traded on the stock exchange. The term used in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The term American equivalent is "public enterprise", source Wikipedia) The company, which we know and admire today.

1919

After the armistice was signed, the Allies banned German military to produce aircraft engines. This prediction, BMW turned to truck engines and boats and agricultural equipment. Meanwhile, in secret Popp continued to work with Friz Director of Engineering on aircraft engines.

A sequence of type IIIa engine was born. He was named natural type IV. With this engine, Franz Zeno Diemer set an altitude record of 9,760 meters (32,013 feet).

Franz Zeno Diemer

BMW history: Franz Zeno Diemer