History

1910
What would eventually become the Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) began as two separate companies. Gustav Otto's Flugzenmaschinenfabrik (Airplane Factory) in Munich merged with Karl Rapp's Flugwerke Deutschland on March 7, 1916 to become the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (Bavarian Airplane Works). Initially specializing in the design and manufacture of airplane engines, the company would manufacture for Germany's fledgling air force, including the Baron von Richthofen, better known as the Red Baron

1950
With time, the stringent post war restrictions on Germany were relaxed. BMW was finally freed to continue production across all its divisions. In a short time they reestablished their world reputation as a preeminent motorcycle manufacturer. The production of handmade sports cars also resumed. Even the airplane engine division won lucrative contracts. But toward the end of the '50s, with motorcycle sales slumping, the era of ""Wirtschaftswunder"" (economic miracle) came to an end plunging BMW into financial worries again.

2000
When you consider how much has evolved at BMW since 1923 it's easy to imagine some incredible progress in the coming years. Already the new millennium has been kind to BMW with continued success both in competition and the marketplace. But despite all the changes past and to come, in the end, it still boils down to one thing: As long as there are riders, real riders, who demand only the best, BMW will continue to up the bar and then leap over it.