regarding the BMW logo, have a look at the EMW (Eisenacher Motorenwerke) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobilwerk_Eisenachand especially the logos on this site: http://www.mirbach.de/main.asp?main=lexikon_103&nav=1 Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
and especially the logos on this site: http://www.mirbach.de/main.asp?main=lexikon_103&nav=1