Harley Davidson Logo and Brand: The History

The year was 1902 and a lad by the name of William S Harley designed a simple 2 cylinder motorcycle. One year later the young Mr. Harley partnered with an Arthur Davidson. Side by side in a tin shed only 10ft x 15ft they tinkered. At the door hung a little hand painted sign without the Harley Davidson logo that simply read "The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company." The first Harley Davidson motor cycle was born. Arthur Davidson’s brother Walter joined the team on 1907.

Just a few years later in 1905 a Harley Davidson motorcycle won its first race. Perhaps this moment may be considered the one when time began for motorcycle enthusiasts. By 1920, the team Harley Davidson was by far the most popular and respected producer of motorcycles in the world. Certainly this remains true today as much as it did so many generations ago.

1917 was a turbulent era for the entire world, many business struggled and some died with the young men who gave their lives in the war. Industry the world over suffered. Harley Davidson however contributed to the war efforts in a different way in that they had the contract to supply the army with engines, as in some unnatural intervention Harley Davidson survived and even grew in strength and popularity. The Harley Davidson logo was a symbol of hope and the future.

 

Harley Davidson also survived the following depression and certainly did so with respect. They were known then, and they are still known today as an industry that treated their employees well and with personal care and consideration. Harley Davidson considers members of their employ family. So much so that in 1987 when Harley Davidson was listed on the stock exchange many Harley Davidson blue collar workers also had shares in their company.

It is interesting that Harley bought a boat company, and the company by the name of AMF bought Harley. It was in this time that quality began to suffer and sadly as a result, so did sales. In 1981 however, the Harley Davidson Company bought their own company back from AMF and things started to improve again almost immediately due an innovative management system called "Circles of Management." This program bought workers and dealers together in the decision making process.

The Harley Davidson Logo

The famous Harley Davidson logo was developed in 1910 and is perhaps one of the most easily recognized logos in the world today. The simple bar and shield design offers a masculine touch with rugged strength.

The Harley Davidson logo is so popular and endearing with Harley Davidson motor cycle fans and fashion friendly folk alike that it appears on t-shirts, belt buckets, numerous stickers, and even coffee cups, in fact the popularity of the logo has created its own market of devout collectors.

Harley Davidson Branding and Marketing

Branding is a key element in the success of many fortunate companies with creative foresight, and certainly Harley Davidson is no exception. Not only did Harley Davidson have a great logo, it went further by introducing the well known art deco eagle on their products. In 1933, every motorcycle produced by Harley Davidson, with the exception of custom requests was branded with the eagle wings on all gas tanks.

If it can be stamped, painted, printed or created, and the quality is excellent, it likely to be marketed somewhere somehow with the Harley Davidson name. Certainly Harley Davidson made a point of branding and community outreach. 1983 saw the creation of HOG, Harley Owners Group. Today there are more than 500,000 HOG members worldwide.

The Harley Davidson logo shows that the company is serious about motorcycles and serious about branding, but only if the quality is true.