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Synopsis
Born in 1880, William S. Harley developed an early interest in mechanics through his fascination with bicycles. Alongside his friend Arthur Davidson, he began experimenting with motorizing bicycles, which led to the creation of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company in 1903. Together with Davidson and his brothers, Harley helped establish the company as a global leader in motorcycle manufacturing.
Early Years
William Sylvester Harley, one of the founding members of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, was born on December 29, 1880, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Displaying a natural ambition and a sharp business sense, Harley began working in a bicycle factory at the age of 15. There, he reconnected with his childhood friend Arthur Davidson, who shared his passion for mechanics and bicycles. Both believed they could revolutionize cycling by creating a motorized version that would be easier to ride.
Driven by a desire to advance his skills, Harley pursued higher education, becoming the first in his family to attend college. In 1907, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Equipped with his education and training as a draftsman, Harley returned to Milwaukee, reuniting with Davidson to pursue their shared vision of building a motorized bicycle.
The two friends soon enlisted the help of Davidson’s brothers, Walter, a skilled railroad machinist, and William, a tool-room foreman. Together, they combined their talents to establish what would soon become the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturer.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company: A Legacy of Innovation and Growth
In 1903, four men—William S. Harley and Arthur, Walter, and William Davidson—founded the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Their humble beginnings trace back to a small shed in the Davidson family’s backyard, where they built their first motorcycles. Harley’s name took precedence in the company’s title, as he was credited with the original concept for the motorcycle. The company’s first production year yielded only three motorcycles, featuring a crank, pedals, and a single-cylinder motor.
In the years that followed, Harley-Davidson refined its motorcycle designs and expanded its business. By 1909, the company had established its own factory, employed 35 workers, and produced over 1,000 motorcycles annually. William Harley, a meticulous engineer and perfectionist, played a key role in the company’s early success. In 1907, he developed the world’s first two-cylinder motorcycle engine. The introduction of the patented V-Twin engine catapulted the company’s production to 3,200 bikes a year, marking a significant turning point for Harley-Davidson.
Throughout the next several decades, Harley-Davidson experienced tremendous growth in sales and popularity, becoming a household name in the motorcycle industry. The U.S. military began relying on Harley-Davidson during the 1916 border skirmish between the U.S. and Mexico, and the company’s motorcycles were later in high demand during World War I. By the end of the war, up to half of the company’s production was devoted to the war effort. During World War II, the American military ordered over 60,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles for use by Allied forces. William Harley personally oversaw the contracts between the company and the War Department, further solidifying the brand’s role in American history.
Harley continued to serve as Harley-Davidson’s chief engineer and treasurer throughout his life, playing an instrumental role in the development of new models and innovations. He was also an enthusiastic racer, eager to test the capabilities of the bikes he helped create. Under his guidance, Harley-Davidson became the only American motorcycle brand on the global market by the 1950s.
Personal Life and Legacy
In 1910, William Harley married Anna Jachthuber, with whom he had three children: Ann Mary, William J., and John. He passed away on September 18, 1943, at the age of 62 due to heart failure. He was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee. In recognition of his pioneering contributions to the motorcycle industry, William Harley was posthumously inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Columbus, Ohio, in 1998. His legacy as a visionary engineer continues to shape Harley-Davidson’s identity as a global leader in motorcycle manufacturing.