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Born to Be Wild: The Invention of Motorcycles
In the classic movie The Wild One, the character Mildred asks Marlon Brando's character, "What are you rebelling against, Johnny?" He famously replies, "Whaddya got?"
Read more articles from the August 2008 issue of InventHelp's newsletter for inventors |
American films like The Wild One and Easy Rider solidified the motorcycle's status as a symbol of rebellion and debauchery. But, ask an avid biker and they'll say it's more about camaraderie and the freedom of the open road. The first week of every August, one of the biggest motorcycle gatherings in the country takes place in Sturgis, South Dakota. Join us as InventHelp® takes a look at the invention of an American pastime: motorcycle riding.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally can bring almost a half million people to the Black Hills, a number that rivals South Dakota's total population of about 755,000. By contrast, the first rally in 1938 consisted of a single race with nine participants and a small audience. It's a pretty safe bet to say that Sturgis could never have happened without the most famous names in motorcycle history: Harley-Davidson.
More than 30 years before the first Sturgis rally, William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson made available to the public the first production Harley-Davidson® motorcycle, after years of tinkering in their garages. They knew their motorcycle invention was something special, but they may not have known just how popular the Harley-Davidson would become.
In 1918, when World War I hit, Harley-Davison shifted production to meet the needs of the U.S. military. It is estimated that the Army used some 20,000 motorcycles in their efforts, most of which were Harley-Davidsons. According to a bit of legend on Harley-Davison's website: "One day after the signing of the Armistice, Corporal Roy Holtz of Chippewa Falls, Wis., is the first American to enter Germany. He is riding a Harley-Davidson."
Over the next decades, Harley-Davidson's popularity soared. But, civilian production halted again in 1941, when America was plunged into World War II. At War's end in 1945, civilian production resumed. Two years later, in 1947, Harley-Davidson began selling what would be a quintessential invention in motorcycle culture – the black leather motorcycle jacket.
As time went on, motorcycle gangs crept up in towns across the U.S., earning reputations as dangerous, law-scoffing rebels. But, given the enormous popularity of biking, it's safe to say that many riders certainly don't fit the persona of a tattooed, leather-clad bruiser!
Today, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally continues to be a crowd pleaser, with many riders bringing their families along for the festivities. The core of the event continues to be racing and touring events, and the Black Hills are one of the greatest locations for motorcycle riding in the world.
We at InventHelp do not advocate belonging to a motorcycle gang, but the idea of making your own rules and pushing the limits is something that we definitely can relate to. Happy Bike Week and safe riding from InventHelp!
Back to August 2008 Newsletter
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