Harley Davidson
Greg Tengberg Tengberg 1
English
11/20/12
HARLEY DAVIDSON
The history of this popular motorcycle company began in Milwaukee, WI in
1903. This is where Bill Harley and Arthur Walter Davidson met, became friends, and
together built a one cylinder engine. Around the turn of the century the gasoline engine was
developed and the one cylinder motor was released. The Indian motorcycle was produced in
1901 and thereafter the Mitscuell, the Merkel and then the Yale in 1903. All were powered
by a one cylinder gasoline combustion engine that was initially made for racing.
In 1903 in Milwaukee Mr. Harley and Mr. Davidson developed there own one cylinder
cycle. It was reliable and an even better looking bike and someone bought it. By 1905
they had produced 11 bikes and they sold as well. By 1908 they had sold 154. This was the
beginning.
The company was now growing . They started in a little wooden barn built by Davidson’
father. The small company grew fast and another member of the Davidson family joined the
team. By no time at all the company expanded quickly into 20 employees. By then they
had moved into a stone factory especially built for building motorcycles.
In 1909 Bill Harley made a prototype of the first 10 cc v-twin engine. This put out up to 7
horsepower. This v-twin quickly became the most recognized image of Harley Davidson.
In 1910,they developed the legendary “Bar and Shield” logo that was placed on their bikes.
Tengberg 2
This became the defining symbol of the company and is sued to this day. These special
Bikes took first place in races, endurance contests and bill climb which gave Harley
Davidson recognition.
The F-head engine was introduced in 1911, It would be the power workhorse until 1929,
When the flathead engine was introduced.
The year 1912 brought further growth. Construction began on a new 6 story factory.
Mr.
English
11/20/12
HARLEY DAVIDSON
The history of this popular motorcycle company began in Milwaukee, WI in
1903. This is where Bill Harley and Arthur Walter Davidson met, became friends, and
together built a one cylinder engine. Around the turn of the century the gasoline engine was
developed and the one cylinder motor was released. The Indian motorcycle was produced in
1901 and thereafter the Mitscuell, the Merkel and then the Yale in 1903. All were powered
by a one cylinder gasoline combustion engine that was initially made for racing.
In 1903 in Milwaukee Mr. Harley and Mr. Davidson developed there own one cylinder
cycle. It was reliable and an even better looking bike and someone bought it. By 1905
they had produced 11 bikes and they sold as well. By 1908 they had sold 154. This was the
beginning.
The company was now growing . They started in a little wooden barn built by Davidson’
father. The small company grew fast and another member of the Davidson family joined the
team. By no time at all the company expanded quickly into 20 employees. By then they
had moved into a stone factory especially built for building motorcycles.
In 1909 Bill Harley made a prototype of the first 10 cc v-twin engine. This put out up to 7
horsepower. This v-twin quickly became the most recognized image of Harley Davidson.
In 1910,they developed the legendary “Bar and Shield” logo that was placed on their bikes.
Tengberg 2
This became the defining symbol of the company and is sued to this day. These special
Bikes took first place in races, endurance contests and bill climb which gave Harley
Davidson recognition.
The F-head engine was introduced in 1911, It would be the power workhorse until 1929,
When the flathead engine was introduced.
The year 1912 brought further growth. Construction began on a new 6 story factory.
Mr.