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BMW started making aircraft engines—specifically the BMW IIIa inline-six engine that powered German fighter planes during World War I[1]. Founded in 1916 as Rapp Motorenwerke and renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works) in 1917, the company didn’t produce its first automobile until 1928[2]. After WWI, the Treaty of Versailles banned Germany from aircraft engine production, forcing BMW to pivot to motorcycles, railway brakes, and farm equipment before eventually entering the automotive market[3].
BMW’s Aircraft Engine Origins (1916–1918)
The story of BMW begins in the skies over World War I battlefields, not on the roads of Bavaria. In 1916, two small aircraft engine companies—Rapp Motorenwerke (founded by Karl Rapp) and Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik (founded by Gustav Otto, son of Nikolaus Otto, inventor of the four-stroke engine)—operated in the northern Munich area[4].
As wartime demand for aircraft engines surged, these companies merged. In April 1917, following Karl Rapp’s departure, the company officially became Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH[1].
The BMW IIIa Engine
BMW’s first major product was the BMW IIIa aircraft engine, designed by engineer Max Friz in 1917[1]. This straight-six engine revolutionized aerial combat with several technical innovations:
- High-altitude performance: The IIIa featured a high-altitude carburetor that adjusted fuel-air mixture based on elevation, maintaining 200 horsepower up to 2,000 meters[5]
- Fuel efficiency: Superior fuel economy compared to competing engines
- Special fuel blend: Ran on high-octane gasoline mixed with benzole[5]
The German military installed BMW IIIa engines in fighter planes including the Fokker D.VII, allowing them to compete effectively against Allied aircraft[6]. Approximately 700 engines were built by BMW, with additional production at the Opel factory in Rüsselsheim to meet demand[5].
In 1919, a BMW IIIa-powered aircraft set a world altitude record of 32,000 feet—a remarkable achievement for the era[3].
The Post-War Pivot (1919–1928)
Germany’s defeat in World War I fundamentally altered BMW’s business trajectory. The Treaty of Versailles prohibited German companies from manufacturing aircraft engines[3]. With its core product now illegal to produce, BMW faced an existential crisis.
Diversification Products
BMW survived by manufacturing a variety of non-aviation products[2]:
- Railway brakes: Heavy industrial equipment for train systems
- Farm equipment: Agricultural machinery and tools
- Household items: Various consumer goods
- Motorcycle engines: The stepping stone to BMW’s future
The Motorcycle Era
In 1923, BMW produced its first complete vehicle—the BMW R32 motorcycle[2]. This flat-twin engine motorcycle established design principles BMW motorcycles still use today: a horizontally opposed “boxer” twin engine mounted longitudinally with shaft drive.
The R32 demonstrated BMW’s ability to engineer complete vehicles, not just engines. Motorcycles became (and remain) a significant part of BMW’s business, with the company producing bikes continuously since 1923.
The First BMW Automobile (1928)
BMW’s entry into automobile production came through acquisition rather than organic development. In 1928, BMW purchased the Eisenach vehicle factory, which held a license to build the Austin 7 compact car[4]. BMW initially sold these cars as the BMW Dixi.
The company’s first truly BMW-designed automobile, the BMW 3/15, arrived shortly after. This marked the beginning of BMW’s transition from an engine and motorcycle manufacturer to the luxury automaker recognized today.
If you’re curious about what BMW stands for, the name directly reflects these aviation origins—Bavarian Motor Works referenced aircraft engines, not automobiles.
The Propeller Logo Myth
Many believe BMW’s blue-and-white roundel logo represents a spinning aircraft propeller, symbolizing the company’s aviation heritage[7]. This is actually a myth BMW itself perpetuated through advertising.
The Real Meaning
The logo’s blue and white quadrants represent the colors of the Free State of Bavaria[7]. When BMW registered the trademark in 1917, German law prohibited using national emblems in commercial logos, so BMW reversed the traditional arrangement of Bavaria’s white-and-blue pattern.
How the Myth Started
In 1929, BMW published an advertisement showing the company logo superimposed on spinning aircraft propellers[7]. The ad promoted aircraft engines BMW was building under license from Pratt & Whitney.
The propeller interpretation aligned perfectly with BMW’s heritage, so the company never corrected the misunderstanding[7]. In 1942, BMW’s own publication “Flugmotoren-Nachrichten” (Aircraft Engine News) further reinforced the myth with illustrations of the logo overlaying a rotating propeller.
BMW’s Return to Aviation (WWII)
BMW briefly returned to aircraft engine production during World War II, developing the BMW 801 radial engine[6]. This was Germany’s first high-performance, air-cooled radial engine, with approximately 61,000 units produced[6].
The BMW 801 powered the Focke-Wulf Fw 190A fighter aircraft. After WWII, BMW exited the aircraft engine business permanently, focusing exclusively on motorcycles and automobiles.
Today, if you’re researching BMW maintenance costs or BMW reliability, you’re benefiting from over a century of engineering excellence that began in those early aircraft engine factories.
Timeline: From Engines to Automobiles
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1916 | Rapp Motorenwerke founded in Munich |
| 1917 | Renamed to Bayerische Motoren Werke; BMW IIIa engine debuts |
| 1918 | WWI ends; Treaty of Versailles bans aircraft engine production |
| 1919 | BMW IIIa sets 32,000 ft altitude record |
| 1920s | BMW produces railway brakes, farm equipment, motorcycle engines |
| 1923 | BMW R32 motorcycle—first complete BMW vehicle |
| 1928 | BMW acquires Eisenach; first BMW automobile (Dixi) |
| 1929 | Propeller logo advertisement creates enduring myth |
| 1936 | BMW 328 sports car establishes performance reputation |
| 1940s | BMW 801 aircraft engine during WWII |
| Post-1945 | BMW focuses exclusively on motorcycles and automobiles |
Key Takeaways
- BMW began as an aircraft engine manufacturer in 1916, with the BMW IIIa inline-six engine powering WWI German fighter planes
- The Treaty of Versailles (1919) banned German aircraft engine production, forcing BMW to pivot to motorcycles, railway brakes, and farm equipment
- BMW’s first motorcycle (the R32) arrived in 1923; the company entered automobile production in 1928 through acquisition
- The propeller logo myth originated from a 1929 BMW advertisement—the actual logo represents Bavaria’s blue-and-white state colors
- BMW briefly returned to aircraft engines during WWII with the BMW 801 radial engine before permanently focusing on automobiles and motorcycles
Frequently Asked Questions
Did BMW make airplanes or just airplane engines?
BMW manufactured aircraft engines, not complete aircraft[1]. The company supplied engines to various German aircraft manufacturers who built the planes. BMW’s expertise was in powerplants—first the inline-six BMW IIIa during WWI, then the radial BMW 801 during WWII.
Does BMW still make aircraft engines?
No, BMW has not produced aircraft engines since the end of World War II[6]. The company’s aviation engine division eventually became part of MTU Aero Engines, a separate entity. Modern BMW focuses exclusively on automobiles and motorcycles.
Why did BMW switch from aircraft engines to cars?
The Treaty of Versailles following WWI banned German companies from manufacturing aircraft engines[3]. BMW was forced to diversify into motorcycles, industrial equipment, and eventually automobiles to survive. This pivot ultimately transformed BMW into the automotive company it is today.
Is the BMW logo really a propeller?
No, this is a persistent myth[7]. The blue-and-white quadrants represent Bavaria’s state colors, not a spinning propeller. BMW’s own 1929 advertising showing the logo over aircraft propellers created this misconception, which the company never strongly corrected because it aligned with their aviation heritage.
When did BMW make its first car?
BMW entered automobile production in 1928 after acquiring the Eisenach factory[2]. The first BMW-badged car was the Dixi, a licensed version of the Austin 7. The first truly BMW-designed automobile was the BMW 3/15, which followed shortly after.
References
- History of BMW – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_BMW
- BMW – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW
- Prestige & Performance Car. (2023). BMW history: 1916–2023. https://prestigeandperformancecar.com/bmw/bmw-history-1916-2022/
- Automobilisto. (2024). BMW – Brand history. https://automobilisto.de/en/stories/bmw
- BMW IIIa – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_IIIa
- SlashGear. (2024). Did BMW Really Make Airplane Engines (And Does It Still…)? https://www.slashgear.com/1686411/did-bmw-make-airplane-engines/
- BMW. (2020). What does the BMW logo mean? https://www.bmw.com/en/automotive-life/bmw-logo-meaning-history1.html
I am a senior automotive analyst at Autvex. Expert vehicle evaluations, in-depth reviews, and objective analysis helping readers make informed automotive decisions with years of industry experience.
