Karl Rapp

Karl Rapp ( * September 24 1882 in Ehingen; † 26 May 1962 Locarno ) was founder and owner of the Rapp Motor Werke GmbH in Munich.

Founded in 1913 by Rapp Rapp Motor Werke GmbH in Munich worked during the First World War in the area of ​​aircraft or aircraft engine construction with the company Gustav Otto flying machines works of the mechanical engineer Gustav Otto ( 1883-1926, son of Nicolaus August Otto ) together, the in 1916, ran into financial difficulties and then apparently without direct involvement Rapp on the Bavarian aircraft works AG ( BFW) passed.

The Rapp Motor Werke GmbH in 1917 by the engineer Franz Josef Popp and the major investor Camillo Castiglioni for Bayerische Motor Werke GmbH (BMW) expanded. Karl Rapp resigned from the company at this time and devoted himself thenceforth apparently exclusively scientific studies. Together with Auguste Piccard he ran altitude research, he also had a private observatory in Locarno.

The successor company Bayerische Motor Werke GmbH (BMW) in 1918, a joint stock company and changed its name in 1920 with changed production spectrum as Süddeutsche Brake AG ( a subsidiary of Knorr- Bremse AG today ). The engine department and the old company name (company) were sold in 1922, the former Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG ( BFW) has since been Bayerische Motor Werke AG ( BMW).