History of Harley Davidson

The history of Harley Davidson begins in 1901 when 21-year-old William Harley creates a blueprint drawing of an engine that fits into a bicycle. In 1903, William partners up with Arthur Davidson and they build their first bike in a wooden shed with the words Harley Davidson Company scrawled on the door. Arthur’s brother Walter joins the team and they sell their first bike to a school friend named Henry Meyer.

The first Harley Davidson dealership opens in Chicago and sells one of the first three production Harley Davidson motorcycles made. In 1906, a new factory is built in Milwaukee and there are now six full-time employees. That year the first motorcycle catalog is created by the company and that is the first time the nickname “Silent Gray Fellow” is used as well. Arthur and Walter’s brother, William, comes on board in 1907 and in September the company is incorporated and the stocks are split between the four founders. The company keeps on expanding. There are now 18 full-time employees, factory has doubled and they start recruiting dealer in the New England areas.

In 1912, a six-story building is completed in Milwaukee which houses the main factory and corporate headquarters. In 1917, one-third of all the Harley Davidson motorcycles built are sold to the U.S. Military. At the end of World War I it is estimated that the army used some 20,000 motorcycles, most of which were Harley Davidson. By 1920, Harley Davidson is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. It lives on today as one of the most well-known name for motorcycles.