BMW's trademark got approved, leading to the acquisition of car plants. These plants produced small Austin cars during tough times. These small cars became popular. BMW is a well-known car maker loved by many. They make modern, powerful, and stylish cars. BMW's path wasn't always smooth. It faced challenges and growth. Its history is unique.
BMW didn't plan to make cars at first. The BMW creator shared interests with the inventor of the combustion engine. BMW has strong ties to aviation. They secretly worked with the Soviet Union. Mercedes-Benz almost took over BMW.
Carl Rapp and Gustav Otto, son of engine inventor Nicholas August Otto, started two aircraft engine companies. World War I created demand for airplane engines. Rapp and Otto merged into one plant. In 1917, it was registered as BMW, short for Bavarian Motor Factory. Carl Rapp and Gustav Otto founded BMW. Max Fritz from Daimler became BMW's chief designer. The BMW 3A aircraft engine was created and tested. An airplane with this engine set a world altitude record of 9,760 meters.
The BMW emblem appeared then. It's a circle with blue and white sections, like a propeller against the sky. Blue and white are Bavaria's colors. After World War I, BMW almost failed. The Treaty of Versailles stopped German airplane engine production. Engines were BMW's only product. Carl and Gustav found a solution. They switched to motorcycle engines and then motorcycles.
In 1923, the R32 motorcycle debuted at the Paris show. It quickly became known for speed and reliability. BMW's history included businessmen Gother and Shapiro. They saved the company from debt. The crisis was due to poor car production. Aircraft engines were the main income source. Shapiro worked with Herbert Austin to produce Austins in Eisenach. By 1928, over 15,000 Austins were made, helping BMW recover.
Shapiro wanted to make BMW's own cars. He hired designer Wabal Comm. Comm developed new parts for BMW. On April 1, 1932, the first BMW car was released. It gained recognition and started BMW's car production. The car combined new ideas with Austin designs. The engine had 20 horsepower, enough for 80 km/h. The four-speed gearbox was advanced.
By World War II, BMW was growing fast. They made sports cars and set records. Wolfgang Von Granau flew across the Atlantic in a BMW-powered plane. Ernst Henne set a motorcycle speed record of 279.50 km/h, which lasted 14 years. BMW secretly supplied aircraft engines to the Soviets. Many Soviet record flights used BMW engines. In 1933, BMW launched its first 6-cylinder engine. This 1.2L model reached 90 km/h. It formed the basis for BMW sports projects.
The BMW 303 was suited for German Autobahns. It earned a good reputation. People paid the price for it. Wealthy fans chose the 303 with a sporty roadster body. BMW sold 2,300 copies in two years. The BMW 319 and 329 were sports cars. The 326 model in 1936 looked luxurious. This four-door car was unlike sports cars. Its rounded design was a future trend. Good design and new features put it among Mercedes-Benz cars. The BMW 326 weighed 1,125 kg and had a top speed of 115 km/h. It used 12.5 L of fuel per 100 km. It was produced until 1941.
Despite making almost 16,000 cars, the BMW 326 was a top pre-war model. In 1936, BMW launched the 328, a successful sports car. Its design defined BMW's driver-focused concept. Mercedes-Benz focused on passengers.
The war stopped car production. Aircraft engines became the priority. In 1944, BMW made the first jet engine. They also tested rocket engines. The end of World War II hurt BMW. Factories in the Eastern zone were destroyed. Equipment went to Russia. The remaining equipment made BMW 321 and 340 models for the USSR. Only two Munich factories remained. BMW focused on them. In 1951, they presented the BMW 501 prototype. It had a large body and a 65 horsepower motor. It was met with interest and surprise. BMW couldn't afford mass production. In 1952, only 49 cars were built.
BMW designers conceived a luxury model. In 1955, the R50 and R51 motorcycles began a new generation. The Isetta, a motorcycle-car hybrid, was released. This three-wheel car was popular in post-war Germany. BMW also released the luxury 503 and 507 coupes. These cars were sporty. The 507's top speed was 190-210 km/h. The 3.2L engine helped.
BMW almost collapsed due to losses. People wanted large cars. The Five series models didn't improve BMW's situation. Debts increased, and sales declined. A bank offered to produce a small Mercedes-Benz car at BMW's factories. This threatened BMW's independence. BMW shareholders and dealerships opposed the offer. They raised money to develop a new BMW model.
In the 1960s, BMW restructured and restarted. The middle-class car was meant for average Germans. In 1961, prototypes were shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The display attracted customers. About 20,000 orders were placed for the BMW 1500. In 1962, only 2,000 cars were made. The BMW 1500 totaled 23,000 copies. New factories opened. The first turbo model, the 2002, was produced. An anti-lock braking system was invented.
In 1972, the BMW 3.0 CSL appeared. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. Aluminum made it light. The BMW became faster, attracting car fans. The 1980s and 1990s were a great time for the car industry. BMW engineers had freedom. The BMW Alpina B7 turbo and the 3, 5, and 7 Series appeared.
BMW also acquired other brands. The company wanted to be the top car maker. They focused on quality and customer demand. They also cut costs. BMW expanded by taking over other brands. One was Mini, a British small car maker. BMW acquired Mini in 2001. Mini launched the Mini model, which became popular. By 2014, Mini had nine models. In 2015, they reduced the number to five.
In 1998, BMW wanted to buy Rolls-Royce Motors. BMW supplied Rolls-Royce with engines. Volkswagen offered a higher price. Volkswagen couldn't quickly change components. BMW became the owner of Rolls-Royce. Today, BMW makes many Rolls-Royce parts.
BMW entered the premium market. They produced expensive, powerful cars. These cars cost more than average. The Rolls-Royce is a premium car. It has increased comfort and quietness. The BMW i8 is a futuristic model. It has progressiveness and innovation. These cars are part of the premium car segment.
BMW continues to succeed. They make modern, powerful cars. The brand is popular worldwide. There is likely a BMW car near your house. In 2021, BMW's revenue was $131.6 billion. Net income was $14.6 billion. In 2022, the BMW brand was worth $49 billion.
BMW cares about the environment. They produce electric cars. They also try to improve car speed and quality. BMW is a unique brand. It has faced challenges and successes.
Try driving a BMW to see why people love it. BMW and Toyota have increased profits for 30 years. BMW has risen from the verge of collapse three times. The BMW group is known for comfort, safety, technology, and Bavarian quality.
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The history of pyramids
In 1993, Rudolph Gatenbrink, a German engineer, explored a shaft in the Great Pyramid of Giza's Queen's Chamber. Unlike the King's Chamber shafts, these didn't lead outside. Instead, they went about 10 feet into the wall, reaching a dead end. Their purpose remained a mystery. Rudolph built a small robot with a camera and light. It was small enough to fit in the 8-inch square shaft. What happened next changed his life. The robot reached the expected end but kept going. It climbed at a 40-degree angle into a longer, unknown section. The camera showed it traveled another 90 yards. It stopped at a small limestone door. Two copper handles were on the door. This baffled Rudolph's team. Metal had never been found inside the Great Pyramid. It was supposedly all limestone. The door had small gaps around the edges. This suggested something was behind it. Was it placed there later? Or was it meant to protect something? Rudolph wanted to know what was behind the door. He asked Zahi Hawass, the Egyptian Minister of Antiquities, for permission to investigate. But instead of permission, Zahi and Egyptian authorities shut down Rudolph's team. They were banned from further research. Zahi has a history of suppressing evidence that conflicts with mainstream Egyptology. Most mainstream Egyptology is based on speculation. This is especially true for the Great Pyramid. What you learned about it may not be facts. It may be unproven ideas based on limited evidence. Mainstream scientists believe the Great Pyramid was built around 4,500 years ago. Pharaoh Khufu supposedly built it as his tomb. They say it took only 20 years to finish. The pyramid once looked different. It was covered in smooth, white limestone. A solid gold capstone sat on top. Around the 1200s, an earthquake hit Egypt. It caused buildings in Cairo to collapse. Some limestone broke off the pyramid. Egyptians then removed the remaining limestone and the capstone. They used them to rebuild the city. This left the pyramid with its current blocky look. A sarcophagus sits in the King's Chamber. Mainstream Egyptologists say this proves it was Khufu's tomb. But no mummy, including Khufu's, has ever been found in the Great Pyramid. No mummies have been found in any pyramid. Khufu's name appears in the pyramid, adding to the idea that it was his tomb.Red paint inscriptions were found inside the Great Pyramid. Unlike carved hieroglyphs, this was graffiti painted on the walls. Someone may have added it long after construction. Tagging a building doesn't mean you built it. No hieroglyphs were carved inside the Great Pyramid. The builders didn't seem to need them. Also, no hieroglyphs mention who built the pyramids or how. Only a small statue, possibly of Khufu, has been found. It was not near the Great Pyramid. Mainstream theories about the pyramid seem weak. The monument's size makes you question ancient history.
By Mostafa Al Aklouk10 months ago in History
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