William S. Harley
Encyclopedia
William Sylvester Harley (December 29, 1880 – September 18, 1943) 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 chief engineer until his death in 1943.
Harley was the son of a Littleport
, Cambridgeshire
man who emigrated to the United States.
He is buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in Milwaukee and was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame
in 1998.
, William A. Davidson, and Walter Davidson 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...
. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
in 1880, and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
from 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...
in 1907.
He co-founded Harley-Davidson with Arthur Davidson in 1903 and served as chief engineer until his death in 1943.
Harley was the son of a Littleport
Littleport, Cambridgeshire
Littleport is the largest village in East Cambridgeshire, England, approximately north of Ely and south-east of Welney. It lies on the Bedford Level South section of the River Great Ouse, close to Burnt Fen and Mare Fen...
, Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
man who emigrated to the United States.
He is buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in Milwaukee and was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
in 1998.
Labor Hall of Fame
Because Harley, Arthur DavidsonArthur Davidson (Harley-Davidson founder)
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...
, William A. Davidson, and Walter Davidson 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.