William harley biography

(1880-1943)

Synopsis

Born in 1880, William S. Harley took an interest in the early development of the bicycle, which fueled his fascination with mechanics and engineering. With his friend Arthur Davidson, he began outfitting bicycles with a motorized engine. In 1903 Harley, Davidson, and Davidson's two brothers formed the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, soon the world's preeminent motorcycle manufacturer.

Early Years

One of the original founders of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, William Sylvester Harley, was born December 29, 1880, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ambitious, with a good eye for business, Harley started his career at the age of 15 when he took a job at a bicycle factory.

Working with him was a childhood friend of his, Arthur Davidson, who, like Harley, had a mind for mechanics. The two also shared a deep interest in bicycles and were convinced they could create a new kind of mechanized bike that would be easier to ride. Soon, the two friends be

William Harley and Arthur Davidson: Men Behind the Iconic ..., carousel

AMA Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame | William S. Harley

All of the most important motorcycles in the first four decades of H-D history were developed with William Harley’s oversight.

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William S. Harley was an American entrepreneur and one of the founders of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

William S. Harley — Biography, Co-Founder of Harley-Davidson

Not long after they built the first production motorcycle, William Harley enrolled in the School of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

william harley biography4

William Harley (1767–1830) was a Scottish textile manufacturer and entrepreneur who is known for his early contributions to the city of Glasgow.

William Early (abt.1622-abt.1711) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

According to Harley-Davidson lore, William Harley and Arthur Davidson met in the late s.