The History Of Harley Davidson Motorcycles}

The History of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

by

Jordan Rocksmith

Harley-Davidson motorcycles are not only machines that can help you get from point A to point B, or even fun vehicles that make riding an invigorating brand of entertainment, they are also lodged firmly in the American imagination as an important cultural symbol. Harley-Davidson has evolved since the early 20th century and is an essential component of Americana. The history of the company and the innovation that drove the development of the motors that make the machines so widely regarded is an important part of the brand and why people connect to it the way they do. This article will give an overview of the development of the company from an early attempt to create high-performance motorcycles to the global giant that today sells 2015 motorcycles in Greensboro, NC.

Establishment and Early Years of the CompanyThe history of the company begins with a young William S. Harley drawing up blueprints for a motor that he could attach to a bike frame. In 1901, Harley took a bicycle frame and used his designs for a small motor to create what might be considered the first prototype of a Harley. However, the experiment was not entirely successful and paved the way for drastic improvements in the capacity of the motor. Arthur Davidson and Harley had been friends since they were small children. Over the next few years, Davidson helped Harley design an engine that had a lot more power and could push a rider up the numerous hills around their Milwaukee neighborhood. In 1904, the small team of engineers competed with the first Harley at the Milwaukee state fair race. 1906 saw the first factory of Harley-Davidson motorcycles open in the same area where the corporate headquarters are today. During WWI, the US military bought 15,000 motorcycles for use in the conflict. This pushed Harley-Davidson into the American consciousness like never before. Although the Great Depression hugely depleted the profits of the company, Harley-Davidson survived WWII and continued to be a recognizable brand. The middle of the 20th century saw many changes that have made the company what it is today. Why “Hog”Harley-Davidsons have been nicknamed “hogs” since the 1920s. A group of farmers had a racing team that used Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The mascot of their team was a hog, which became identified with the brand. The term is not a trademark, but is an affectionate term that Harley-Davidson fans like to refer to their machines by.The Later 20th-Century Changes In the 1970s, Harley-Davidson was competing with Japanese motorcycles that were being imported into the US. The company petitioned the US government to investigate an unfair advantage that the Japanese companies had over the domestic, American-made machines. The government put a substantial tax on imported motorcycles and Harley-Davidson also began strategically producing machines that have a retro feel to distinguish them from the design of foreign types. In 1983, the Harley Owners’ Group, or HOG, was established as a group for those motorcycle owners that wanted to be part of a community and go on group rides. Harley-Davidson retains nostalgic appeal because it has been part of the American consciousness for so many decades. The Brand and Models TodayToday, Harley-Davidson’s models continue to be innovative and nostalgic at the same time. 2015 motorcycles in Greensboro, NC have powerful engines and a distinctive, deep sound. They continue to sell well with established, older Americans, but a significant portion of the buyers are in their 20s. Heavy steel fenders, chrome trim, and the Harley logo continue to be integral to essential brand recognition and the feel of these iconic, American-born motorcycles.

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The History of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles}