Here’s a fun story for a rainy afternoon: the incredibly true stories behind automotive logos.

We know that the galloping horse logo was created by Art Center alum Phil Clark, but why do Chevys wear bowties, and does the blue-and-white BMW roundel really symbolize a propeller and sky?

Road & Track gets to the bottom of things: “From Ferrari’s Prancing Horse to Cadillac’s crest, automobile logos appear on everything from steering wheel hubs to giant billboards, and even the lapel pins on the suits of company executives. This kind of flexibility is one of the design elements needed for an effective and strong logo, says Jack Gernsheimer, Creative Director of Partners Design Inc. and author of Designing Logos: The Process of Creating Symbols that Endure.”

Read more: True Stories Behind Car Company Logos