Harley Davidson - History, Myth, Legend

Born in Milwaukee in 1903 by an intuition of Williameffects on product quality, which inevitably leads to a
Harley and Arthur Davidson, the Harley Davidsondecline in sales and even at the risk of bankruptcy. A
legend grows progressively over time passingvery difficult situation, only partly alleviated by the
through the boom in two wars, the consecration ofconquest of the world titles at the World
the postwar period, the celebration of the centenaryChampionship Speed in 1974, 1975 and 1976.
and the birth of the first Harley Davidson Museum ofThen, in 1981, another turning point: AMF sells Harley
the world.Davidson to a group of 13 investors led by Vaughn
Like all great things, even the myth Harley DavidsonBeals and Willie G. Davidson. To continue the pace,
was born in silence by an idea, a passion, a hopethe company of Milwaukee takes a bit: Harley
almost impossible. The dream takes the form of aDavidson back to being a market leader in large
small motorized bicycle, made in the small garage ofdisplacement motorcycles only with the introduction
Arthur Davidson, flanked by his friend William Harley.of the "Softail Custom" in 1984, but the story
And this is the first Harley in history. We are in 1901,becomes Legend officially in 1990 with the launch of
in Milwaukee (United States) a small town that getsthe new model "Fat Boy", which perfectly embodies
the notoriety thanks to the adventures of Rickythe new retro style chosen by the new management
Cunningham and Fonzie, legendary stars of Americanto revitalize the brand, which relies entirely on the
TV series "Happy Days". Two years later (August 28,possibility for customers to customize their
1903), and after only three copies sold the companymotorcycles.
Harley Davidson was founded. The growth is gradualMeanwhile, the legend comes increasingly become
but unabated: in 1907 the motorcycles producedpart of everyday life for millions of fans around the
were 150, while in 1917 even 12,904.world, by creating a series of jewelry and
The boom of the two conflictsaccessories designed entirely by Harley Davidson like
The first real boom was in 1917, when the Unitedwatches [ (by Bulova), rings in silver or steel, the
States entered officially in the First World War. Thebracelet in silver or steel pins, pendants, neck, zippo
U.S. military requires the company 45 thousand pieceslighters, but also patches for jackets, key rings,
well, which include five models of about 1000 cc. Thisleather bags, door lock, rims, motorcycle covers,
increase in production allows the Harley Davidson tostickers, and more.
become, in the '20s, the largest motorcycleOne hundred of these years
manufacturer in the world, present in 67 countries.In 2003, Harley Davidson, a brand now transformed
The first real milestone, however, is reached in 1921,into a real myth, is celebrating its hundredth birthday,
when it comes to light the first motorcycle that cancelebrated in style in Milwaukee with the largest
reach 160 km / h. Meanwhile, the post-war crisis and,gathering in the history of the company and, very
more importantly, the Great Depression, removeprobably, in the history of motorcycling ever. To
many small production houses, leaving only two majorcommemorate the event, throughout the 2003
players competing activities: Harley Davidson andmodels are marketed in Edition "Century," with special
Indian. With the advent of World War II, the increasecolors and tanks, accompanied by a new set of
in production is repeating: the motorcycles made forclothes.
the military this time are 88.000!But there's more. At Milwaukee in July 12, 2008 is
Postwar era and the birth of the mythcreated the first Harley Davidson Museum in the
After the war, the company reached two newworld, offering visitors the chance to live, between
milestones: in 1954, with the disappearance of thepast and present, that atmosphere of freedom,
Indian, the only real competitor, Harley Davidson ispassion and pride "on the road" that represent the
found to be the only major company in thesoul of the company. Divided into three buildings on a
motorcycle market in circulation and in January 1957 istotal area of 12 thousand square meters placed in a
also made the "Sportster", one of the mostgreen area of 81mila square meters, the museum
successful models in the history of Harley Davidson,contains models of motorcycles, photographs, videos,
characterized by a simple line greatly appreciated byclothing, rare documents, in addition to the collection
the public. But in 1969 another important eventof thousands of plaques "Living the Legend"
occurs: the Harley Davidson was purchased by AMFpersonalized with messages from fans around the
(American Machine and Foundry), who decides toworld.
drastically reduce its workforce, with devastating