Who does not know Harley-Davidson, a "Motor Gede (MOGE)" made in the USA are legendary and tough. Harley-Davidson was founded by two people that William Harley and Arthur Davidson. One of the original founders of Harley-Davidson, William Sylvester Harley was born December 29th, 1880, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Amrika States. William Harley is very ambitious, with good vision in the field of business, Harley began his career at age 15 when he started working in a factory bike. William Harley took an interest in the initial development of the bike, which sparked fascination of mechanics and engineering. With his friend Arthur Davidson, he began to gear bicycle with a motor engine. Working with Arthur Davidson who is a childhood friend, just as Harley, Arthur Davidson also had a thought in the field of mechanics. Both also share a deep interest on the bike and are confident they can create a new type of bike mechanic will be easier to use.
Soon the two friends then began to experiment with a gasoline engine and try on their own bikes. In 1903 William Harley and Arthur Davidson, and two brothers of Arthur Davidson formed a company Harley Davidson Motor Company, a company motorcycle manufacturer who would be great in the world. Determined to make a better life for himself, Harley then left for college, he was the first in his family to college and eventually earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1907. After finishing studying, Harley then back to Milwaukee after college and began working again with Davidson to fulfill their dream to build a motorized bicycle.
They start operating company Harley Davidson Motor Company from a small shed in the Davidson family backyard. Harley name installed in the beginning because the original idea came from thinking about the motorcycle. In the first year, the company produces three bikes, which includes bicycle cranks and pedals as well as the motor of the cylinder. Over the next few years, companies enhance the idea of motorcycles and attract new businesses. In 1909, the company has its own factory, employs 35 workers and produces more than a thousand motorcycle per year.
Behind the development of the company, William Harley is a perfectionist who create and install a two-cylinder engine first motorcycle in the world. He did it in 1907, and in just a few years later, then be patented V-Twin engine that later skyrocketed and help the growth of the company's production to 3,200 bikes a year. Over the next few decades Harley-Davidson continues to see a huge boost in sales and popularity. The US is currently participating in World War I. Thorough, US Military dared to put it the number one third of the total of 70,000 motorcycles were needed for the war. It was the right choice, because Harley-Davidson motorcycles to ease US forces in reconnaissance and delivery logistics to the forefront of the battle field.
Finally, during the First World War, approximately 20,000 units of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were sent into battle. Although the remaining 14,600 units more that has not been produced since the end of the war, Harley-Davidson changed like a star. The motorcycle was received tremendous appreciation of the US public, as it is considered enough to help the country "Uncle Sam" in the battlefield. Image "Motor Nationalist" was pinned to the motorcycle community.
A number of mass media crowded thrash "greatness" vehicle Harley Davidson. The slogan of "Uncle Sam's Choice; Harley-Davidson "was posted in one of the company's advertising in the 1920s. At that time, Harley-Davidson finally begin its golden period. Harley-Davidson went on to become a legend and was able to outperform its competitors to become the largest motorcycle company in the world up to the present.
Until his death, William Harley proved instrumental in the success of the company and introduction of new motorcycles. He is a driver and have a passion to test his new bike. Harley died of heart failure on September 18, 1943. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in Milwaukee. In 1998, he was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Columbus, Ohio as well known as the "Father of Harley-Davidson" with Arthur Davidson.
