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Difference between revisions of "Harley-Davidson history"
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==1900s: Early Days== | ==1900s: Early Days== | ||
In 1903, it must have seemed to Mr. and Mrs. Davidson that their three sons had gone their separate ways. None had followed their father into the carpentry trade, but all were holding down jobs in engineering. William, the eldest, had already done well for himself, well established as a foreman with the Milwaukee Road railroad company; | In 1903, it must have seemed to Mr. and Mrs. '''Davidson''' that their three sons had gone their separate ways. None had followed their father into the carpentry trade, but all were holding down jobs in engineering. William, the eldest, had already done well for himself, well established as a foreman with the Milwaukee Road railroad company; Walter, the middle one, had moved away to Kansas to work as a machinist; and young '''[[Arthur Davidson]]''' remained in Milwaukee, earning his crust as a patternmaker at the Barth Manufacturing Company. Arthur, in particular, seemed to have a bright future ahead of him: he was an outgoing, personable young man with a lot of drive, not to mention a good friend named [[William Harley]]. The Davidson brothers' parents had immigrated to the USA from Scotland in around 1871. While, Bill Harley's parents had come over from the North of England. All chose to settle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | ||
Walter, the middle one, had moved away to Kansas to work as a machinist; and young [[Arthur Davidson]] remained in Milwaukee, earning his crust as a patternmaker at the Barth Manufacturing Company. Arthur, in particular, seemed to have a bright future ahead of him: he was an outgoing, personable young man with a lot of drive, not to mention a good friend named [[William Harley]]. The Davidson brothers' parents had immigrated to the USA from Scotland in around 1871. While, Bill Harley's parents had come over from the North of England. All chose to settle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | |||
It was hardly surprising that Bill and Arthur were soon turning their considerable energy towards the internal combustion [[engine]]. The world they grew up in was one of optimism and belief in fast-developing technology. Steam power had transformed Europe and North America, and now electricity and the small petrol engine promised to do the same. | It was hardly surprising that Bill and Arthur were soon turning their considerable energy towards the internal combustion [[engine]]. The world they grew up in was one of optimism and belief in fast-developing technology. Steam power had transformed Europe and North America, and now electricity and the small petrol engine promised to do the same. | ||
Where it all began: the [[Harley-Davidson Motor Company]]'s first “factory”. | Where it all began: the '''[[Harley-Davidson Motor Company]]''''s first “factory”. | ||
After centuries of reliance on horse or steam power, mankind was on the brink of discovering a new age in transport. Maybe it was no coincidence that, in 1903, the Wright brothers tested their first powered aircraft, the Model A Ford hit the roads, and the first Harley-Davidson [[motorcycle]] was sold to a paying customer. | After centuries of reliance on horse or steam power, mankind was on the brink of discovering a new age in transport. Maybe it was no coincidence that, in 1903, the Wright brothers tested their first powered aircraft, the Model A Ford hit the roads, and the first Harley-Davidson [[motorcycle]] was sold to a paying customer. | ||
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[[Category:Harley-Davidson]] | [[Category:Harley-Davidson]] | ||
[[Category:Motorcycle history]] | |||