Arthur Davidson (Harley-Davidson founder)
Encyclopedia
Arthur Davidson was one of the four original founders of the Harley-Davidson
Motor Company. One of Arthur's favorite pastimes was fishing in the beautiful Wisconsin
wilderness, which inspired him to create a motorcycle that would "take the hard work out of pedaling a bicycle".
Arthur was a natural story teller, salesman and United States
patriot. During World War I and II, Arthur and company diverted motorcycle production to support U.S. troops. This noble act was rewarded with returning troops ready, trained and willing to buy Harley-Davidson branded motorcycles.
The "Honey Uncle" story is one of the most memorable family stories about Arthur and a pivotal moment for the fate of Harley-Davidson company. One day shortly after Arthur's cleaning lady visited he discovered the seed money he had stashed between his mattress to start Harley-Davidson was missing! Fortunately, Arthur was able to borrow the $500 in venture capital needed for Harley-Davidson from an uncle who owned a bee farm in Madison, Wisconsin
. From then on, the uncle was known as the "Honey Uncle" for helping the business get off the ground. The bee farm on Lake Mendota
was later sold to the University of Wisconsin–Madison
, and is now known as Picnic Point in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.
Arthur was credited with the slogan that inspired he and his 21 year old friend Harley as they worked tirelessly in a 10 x 15 foot shed. The slogan was to "Take The Work Out Of Bicycling."
Arthur was survived by his three children, Margaret, Arthur and James Davidson.
, William A. Davidson and Walter Davidson both used and believed in its products and relied on the dedication of its employees to produce quality motorcycles, the four men were inducted into the Labor Hall of Fame.
Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson , often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression...
Motor Company. One of Arthur's favorite pastimes was fishing in the beautiful Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
wilderness, which inspired him to create a motorcycle that would "take the hard work out of pedaling a bicycle".
Arthur was a natural story teller, salesman and United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
patriot. During World War I and II, Arthur and company diverted motorcycle production to support U.S. troops. This noble act was rewarded with returning troops ready, trained and willing to buy Harley-Davidson branded motorcycles.
The "Honey Uncle" story is one of the most memorable family stories about Arthur and a pivotal moment for the fate of Harley-Davidson company. One day shortly after Arthur's cleaning lady visited he discovered the seed money he had stashed between his mattress to start Harley-Davidson was missing! Fortunately, Arthur was able to borrow the $500 in venture capital needed for Harley-Davidson from an uncle who owned a bee farm in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. From then on, the uncle was known as the "Honey Uncle" for helping the business get off the ground. The bee farm on Lake Mendota
Lake Mendota
Lake Mendota is the northernmost and largest of the four lakes near Madison, Wisconsin. The lake borders Madison on the north, east and south, Middleton on the west, Shorewood Hills on the southwest, Maple Bluff on the northeast, and Westport on the northwest....
was later sold to the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, and is now known as Picnic Point in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.
Arthur was credited with the slogan that inspired he and his 21 year old friend Harley as they worked tirelessly in a 10 x 15 foot shed. The slogan was to "Take The Work Out Of Bicycling."
Arthur was survived by his three children, Margaret, Arthur and James Davidson.
Labor Hall of Fame
Because Davidson, William S. HarleyWilliam S. Harley
William Sylvester Harley was a co-founder of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1880, and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1907.He co-founded Harley-Davidson with Arthur Davidson in 1903 and served as...
, William A. Davidson and Walter Davidson both used and believed in its products and relied on the dedication of its employees to produce quality motorcycles, the four men were inducted into the Labor Hall of Fame.