BMW, or Bayerische Motoren Werke, is a German manufacturer of cars, motorcycles and engines based in Munich, in Bavaria. Its origins lie in the aircraft engine business of the First World War, and the company was formally established in the 1910s from earlier aircraft and engine firms, including those of Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto. After the war, when German aircraft production was banned, it turned to motorcycles, producing its first, the R32, in the 1920s, and then to cars, taking over the Dixi works at Eisenach. Its blue-and-white roundel reflects the colours of Bavaria. After the Second World War it recovered, and it became known for sporty luxury cars, and it now also owns the Mini and Rolls-Royce brands.
Before and after
- from 1916 to 1934Basmachi movement
- 1916Construction of Josep Tarradellas Airport Barcelona-El Prat
- 1916Construction of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
- from 5 February 1916 to 15 April 1916Trebizond Campaign
- 7 March 1916Founding of BMW
- 11 March 1916Birth of Harold Wilson
- 5 April 1916Birth of Gregory Peck
- 17 April 1916Birth of Sirimavo Bandaranaike
- from 24 April 1916 to 30 April 1916Easter Rising
More in Society, economy & sport
- 16 October 1923Founding of The Walt Disney Company
- 1924Origins of Allsvenskan
- 1937Nanjing Massacre
- 1938Founding of Samsung Group
- 15 May 1940Founding of McDonald's
- 1941Rise of Vietnamese Independence League
The era
This moment belongs to the Modern era (1914 CE to 1945 CE), world wars and a changing world. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.