Harley-Davidson

Blue Prints

Mar 27, 1901

William S. Harley, age 21, completes first blueprints.

Public

Mar 27, 1902

Harley-Davidson is now available to the public.

Dealer

Mar 27, 1904

The first Halrey-Davidson Dealer in Chicago IL opens for business.

Hired

Mar 27, 1905

First full-time employee is hired.

New Factory

Mar 27, 1906

New factory is built, measuring 28X80 ft on Chestnut St.. Staff incresed to six full-time employees.

Changes

Mar 27, 1907

William A. Davidson ( brother) quits his job.
- Harley is incorporated
- Stock is split among the 4 founders
- Staff size is now 18
- Factory size has doubled
- Dealer recruitment begins in the New England region

New Logo

Mar 27, 1910

" Bar & Shield" logo is made

Construction

Mar 27, 1912

Construction on new six-story headquarters
- Seperate parts and accessories Department is formed

Award

Mar 27, 1916

Harley-Davidson gets awarded with longest continously published motorcycle magazine in the world.

New Beginning

Mar 27, 1917

The Quartermasters School, a department of Harley Davidson devotes training on motorcycles
- Started selling through H-D dealer network

Largest

Mar 27, 1920

Largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.

New Dealerships

Mar 27, 1922

Dealerships are now found in 67 countries.

Award

Mar 27, 1943

Harley recieves the first of its four Army-Navy "E" awards for excellence in wartime production.

Anniversary

Mar 27, 1953

Harley Davidson celebrates its 50 year anniversary by using a new " V " logo.

Interest

Mar 27, 1960

Harley purchases a half interest in Aeronatica- Macchi.

Stock

Mar 27, 1962

Harley purchases 60% of stock in the TomoHawk Boat Manufacturing Company.

Merges

Mar 27, 1969

Harley merges with the American Machine and Foundry Company, a long time producer of leisure products.

Production

Mar 27, 1973

All assembly operations are moved to a 400,000 sq. ft. plant in York, PA
- Capitol Drive Plant in Milwaukee begins production of engines.

"The Eagle Soars Alone"

Feb 26, 1981

H-D senior executives sign a letter of intent to purchase H-D Motor Company from AMP
"The Eagle Soars Alone" becomes a rallying cry.

Materials

Mar 27, 1982

Materials As needed are introduced to save money & improve quality.

International

Apr 1, 1983

H-D successfully gains International Trade Commission.
- Harley Owners Group becomes largest factory-sponsered motorcycle club in the world

Stock Exchange

Mar 27, 1986

H-D is listed on America Stock Exchange for the first time since 1969 wjem tjeu got away from AMF
- H-D purchases Holiday Rambler Corporation, producer of quality motor homes.

N.Y.

Mar 27, 1987

H-D is now listed on the N.Y. stock exchange

Anniversary

Mar 27, 1988

85th Anniversary

Factory

Mar 27, 1992

H-D installs a $31 million state-of-the-art factory in York, PA.

Anniversary

Mar 27, 1993

90th Anniversary

Distribution Center

Mar 27, 1996

New state-of-the-art Parts and Accessories Distribution Center opens in Franklin, WI, all inventory is now moved from original warehouse.

Production Development

Mar 27, 1997

New 217,000 sq. ft. Production Development Center opens next to the Capitol Drive Plant in Milwaukee
- New 330,000 sq. ft. plant in Kansas City

Anniversary

Mar 27, 1998

95th Anniversary
New assembly facility opens in Manaus, Brazil, the first outside the U.S.
- H-D buys remaining 49% interest in Buell Motorcycle Company

Members

Mar 27, 2000

Members of the HOG 500.000

Expansion

Mar 27, 2001

H-D expands all facilities

Anniversary

Jul 27, 2002

100th Anniversary

Partnership

Mar 27, 2005

H-D & Muscular Dystrophy Association's 25th Anniversary in partnership.

Beijing Feng

Mar 27, 2006

Appoints Beijing Feng as first authorized H-D dealers in China.

Museum

Jul 12, 2008

New museum is established in Milwaukee.

Expansion

Mar 27, 2009

H-D expands to India.