Ah heck. Another image spoiled. Or should we say myth? For years I thought the BMW roundel logo was intended to represent a spinning propellor, acknowledging the firm's historic role in aviation. Powering the altitude record holder back in the 20s, for example. I've even written about the logo's history as though it were fact, in blogs and newspaper articles. Now we learn that it just isn't true.
Seems the original blue and white logo was featured in a 1929 ad that placed the BMW roundel over the spinning propellors of an airplane, and this led to the belief that the company's logo was tied to its aviation history. In a recent article in the New York Times the long-running myth was corrected by Anne Schmidt-Possiwal of the BMW Museum in Munich. The true origin turns out to be the state colors of Bavaria. Thanks, Anne, but I still prefer to visualise a spinning prop driven by a great aviation engine. It appeals to my romantic instincts.
[Source: Autoblog via The New York Times]
Well Philip. I submit that both versions are correct and that Ms. Schmidt-Possiwal was not present at those discussions in 1929. I will try to find the definitive book that I have on BMW which mentions that advert and it being the origin of the way the Bavarian colours were displayed. Keep up the good work.
January 11, 2010 @ 8:23 am