The History of Harley Davidson

Harley Davidson Motor Company was founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by William Harley and Arthur Davidson. Their first bike had a single cylinder engine and still required foot pedals to assist in acceleration or going uphill. Harley Davidson produced three bikes their first year, and in the century since, they have become the preeminent American motorcycle manufacturer.

Harleys were originally developed to improve upon standard two-wheel bicycle designs, and later for racing. When the military commissioned a large order of bikes for use in World War I, it started a lasting relationship between Harley and military and civil service. Prior to World War II, Harley-Davidson had begun building the overhead-valve version of the motorcycle, which included an oil system. This was known as the "Knucklehead."

Harley also produced bikes for the Army in World War II, and in fact ceased all civilian production in order to concentrate on fulfilling orders for the war effort. After the war, they became immensely popular among law enforcement all over the country. Harley also began creating, researching, implementing, and developing new engines, functionality processes, and styles to meet the demands of veterans and other new markets.

In the late 1950’s, Harley-Davidson merged with the American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF), but the quality of the bike decreased and Harley bought itself back and went about reinventing themselves. In the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, Harley continued to invent new, modern, and fresh creations, and this has propelled them to a 62% ownership of the motorcycle industry today.