Arthur Davidson

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Co-founder of Harley-Davidson with Bill Harley, Arthur Davidson was a natural salesman who, in the words of author Herbert Wagner was 'an out-front brassy little guy, A handshaker. He loved people ... He liked a good joke and he loved telling stories.' It was his extroverted personality that meshed so well with the engineering skills of his friend, Bill Harley, and played a key role in the early success of the company. While his brothers were building bikes and Bill was developing them Arthur was out on the road recruiting reliable dealers and promoting the company through advertising. He recognized the importance of training and founded the Harley-Davidson service school. Like Bill Harley, Arthur loved the outdoor life. He died in December 1950, the victim of a road accident.