BMW can trace its roots back to Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto. In 1916, the Flugmaschinenfabrik Gustav Otto company had merged into Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke AG (BFW) at government be- hest. Elsewhere, in 1917, the Rapp Motorenwerke company became Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH, which was duly converted into an AG (public limited company) in 1918. BMW AG subse- quently transferred its engine construction operations – including the company and brand names – to BFW in 1922. The date of BFW’s founding, 7 March 1916, has therefore gone down in history as the foundation date of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. 1917 – The BMW Emblem. 1922 – Company relocation and new beginning. 1923 – BMW R 32 – the first BMW Motorrad. 1928 – BMW begins automotive construction. 1933 – Armaments policy and forced labour. 1934 – Aircraft engine manufacture becomes autonomous. 1936 – Establishment of the “shadow plant” Allach. 1939 – BMW takes over Brandenburgischen Motorenwerke. 1945 – RECONSTRUCTION DIFFICULTIES.