As its name implies, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company was conceived as an engine-maker, but early on William Harley imagined a particular application—a bicycle with a motor. His 1901 blueprint is reproduced inside The Harley-Davidson Story, a handsomely designed coffee-table book composed around the wealth of material preserved in the company’s archives. The Harley-Davidson Story is a lavishly illustrated summary of the company’s history with photos of motorcycles, vintage shots of the factory and dealerships and even close-ups of components.
Milwaukee author Aaron Frank acknowledges that Harley was not the only prominent American motorcycle manufacturer in the 20th century. Design may have been a factor in the company’s success but so was active engagement with riders. And while bikers have always appeared more adventurous than car owners, the marketing has changed over time. A 1931 Harley ad in Tales from the Archives features a rider in necktie and knickers, sporting an English riding cap as he races into the wind.
