To discover the history of the Harley Davidson logo you need to know a little 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 in a bicycle. William didn’t start working with his partner Arthur Davidson until two years later.
When William Harley and Arthur Davidson built the first Harley Davidson motorcycle, it was in the year 1904. This motorcycle was built in a 10 x 15 foot shed with the words Harley Davidson Motor Company handwritten 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 orange and black bar and shield logo was registered with the patent office in the year 1910. There is no record of who designed it or why the bar and shield.
Before the next logo was made, some interesting things happened. During World War I, the United States Army used almost 20,000 Harley motorcycles. In 1920, a man named Leslie Parkhurst broke the speed record 23 times. After each win, the team would take a victory lap with their mascot. The mascot was a pig, from which the name “pig” comes and the first association of pigs was formed.
The art deco “eagle” design became the next Harley logo. It was painted on all Harleys in 1933 to try to stimulate sales after the depression.
It was after 1930 when motorcyclists were thought to be outlaws and used the skull and crossbones as their emblem. The company needed to change this image. Willie G. Davidson came up with the “skull and wings” logo.
A V logo was made for Harley’s 50th anniversary. This logo was placed on the fenders of all 1954 model bikes.
Today, dealers across the country can add elements to the logo with permission from Harleys. As an example, Colorado dealers add mountains behind the original Harley logo.
You can find almost any item with the logo on it today. From sunglasses and goblets to Harley bedding, the logo is everywhere.
The Harley Davidson logo is now a $41 million dollar industry.
