Harley Davidson is one of the most popular motorcycle manufacturing companies around today and was founded in 1903. The four founders of the company were William S. Harley, Arthur Davidson, Walter Davidson and William A. Davidson. The company is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and employs just fewer than 10,000 people. Harley Davidson was able to survive the Great Depression and competition with Japanese manufacturers. Aside from manufacturing and selling motorcycles, Harley Davidson also manufactures and sells motorcycle equipment such as carbon fiber helmets. Carbon fiber helmets are some of the most protective helmets available for purchase today by motorcycle enthusiasts.

At the age of 21, William S. Harley drew up plans for a small engine that could be used in a normal pedal bicycle frame. Harley’s childhood friend, Arthur Davidson, would help Harley over a period of two years with the motor-bicycle design. The company manufactured only 150 motorcycles in 1907 and became an incorporated business in September of that same year. One of the most important markets for Harley Davidson motorcycles is police departments. The company began selling their motorcycles to local police departments in 1907 and continues to do so today.

Carbon fiber helmets are very popular helmets within the police world since they are incredibly difficult to break if an officer gets into an accident. When World War I broke out in Europe, the motorcycle was an intricate part of various countries’ armies. Motorcycles are small and easy to maneuver in high traffic areas, which made them so popular at army bases and camps all throughout World War I. The United States armed forces had already used motorcycles during the Pancho Villa Expedition but demanded even higher numbers during World War I. Harley Davidson manufactured 15,000 motorcycles for the United States to use in combat during World War I. The company became the largest motorcycle manufacturing company in the world by 1920, when it was manufacturing 28,189 motorcycles. Harley Davidson motorcycles continue to be a popular brand of motorcycle today despite a workers’ strike at a manufacturing plant in York, Pennsylvania in 2007.

 

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