BMW

The BMW roundel traces its roots to the company’s early history: the circular logo first appeared in 1917 and incorporates the white and blue colors of the Free State of Bavaria. The common modern interpretation linking the logo to a spinning aircraft propeller originated from a 1929 BMW advertisement showing the roundel overlaid on a propeller, but the mark’s actual origin stems from earlier heraldic and company-device elements used by Rapp Motorenfabrik and the Bavarian state colors. Over the decades the roundel has been refined stylistically (thickness of rings, typeface, and use on vehicles) while retaining the distinctive blue-and-white quarters and circular frame as core historic elements.