Archive for the ‘Motorcycles’ Category
To uncover the history of the Harley Davidson logo you need to know a bit about the company.
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1901 at the age of 21, William S. Harley drew his first blueprint of an engine he wanted to put on a bicycle. William did not start working With his partner Arthur Davidson until two years later.
When William Harley and Arthur Davidson made the first Harley Davidson motorcycle it was the year 1904. This motorcycle was built in a 10 x 15 foot shed with the words Harley Davidson Motor Company hand written on the door.
It was 1904 when Arthur Davidson’s Aunt Jane Davidson painted “Harley Davidson Motor Company” on the door with a red stripe.
The famous Bar and shield logo in orange and black was registered with the patent office in the year 1910. During World War 1 almost 20,000 Harley motorcycles were used by the United States army. In 1920, a man named Leslie Parkhurst broke the speed record 23 times. After every win, the team would take a victory lap with their mascot. The mascot was a pig, which is where the name “hog” came from and the first Hog association was formed.
The art deco “eagle” design became the next Harley logo. It was painted on every Harley in 1933 to try and stimulate sales after the depression.
The company needed to change this image. Willie G. Davidson came up with the “skull and wings” logo.
For Harley’s 50th anniversary a V logo was made. This logo was put on the fender of every 1954 model bike.
Today dealers around the country are allowed to add to the logo with Harleys’ permission. As an example in Colorado dealers add mountains behind the original Harley logo.
From sunglasses and cups to Harley bedding, the logo is everywhere.
The Harley Davidson logo is now a $41 million dollar industry.
In 1926, Adriano and Marcello Ducati founded a company that specialised not in motorcycles, but the production of radio components. During the war years, they turned their attention toward electronic military equipment. This move made their factory a target for allied bombing, but despite frequent, serious damage, they managed to remain in production. In 1950, Ducati launched their first motorcycle, which was based on the already well established Cucciolo engine. This power unit, designed by Aldo Farinelli, was originally created as a strap on motor for push bikes. By the time Ducati adopted it, 200,000 units had been produced. This first creation by Ducati was capable of 40mph and 200 mpg and weighed in at 98 pounds. These bikes were badged as 55M or 65TL.
Unfortunately, the public didn’t embrace the idea as Ducati had hoped, and the model was withdrawn the following year with sales barely reaching the 2,000 mark. At this time, Ducati were still making electronic equipment, so the decision was made to split the company and Ducati Elettronica SpA was created under separate management.
Ducati Meccanica SpA, led by Dr Guiseppe Montano, became the motorcycle manufacturing company that we know today, and by 1954 were turning out 120 units per day as the factory was modernized with government aid. Although Montano was appointed by the government, he was a genuine motorcycle lover and realised the potential of racing to induce customers to buy his machines. By 1956, the Desmo Ducati 125 won its first race in Sweden. The Grand Prix at Hedemora saw the Ducati lap every other motorcycle. Sadly, the man who achieved this feat, Gianni Degli Antoni, died during practice for the following race. This unfortunate accident hit Ducati hard, and it wasn’t until 1958 that they could once again challenge MV Agusta.
As the 50′s drew to a close, the Berliner Brothers picked up the American franchise and pushed Ducati to the forefront in the USA. With no little flair, they began punching above their weight and mounted a serious challenge to the wave of Japanese machines that were coming into the country. At this time, the company was also enjoying success in other export markets as well as at home. In the mid sixties, Ducati became the Italian outlet of Standard-Triumph cars and Leyland vans and trucks. Ducati insisted on pushing their 50cc two-strokes on the American public. Although these machines had accrued many sales in Italy, the contrary was true of the USA, as the nation snubbed what were in fact very good machines. Rather than heed the warning, the company pressed ahead and created a 100cc two-stroke, when they really should have been developing their much loved sporting four-strokes. As Ducati struggled to compete with the mass produced Japanese motorcycles, the future looked gloomy, but once again they turned to their racing roots, creating 750′s which took first and second places at Imola in 1972. A major coup for the company was the securing of the services of rider, Paul Smart, who was at that time racing for Kawasaki. Success at Imola sparked the beginning of the love affair between big racing bikes and Ducati.
The company has achieved success by following its racing roots. At the company’s headquarters, you can visit the museum and re-live over 50 years of racing history.