When in 1901, the motor-bicycle that they had developed as hobbyists failed to climb the hills around Milwaukee without pedal assistance, the Davidson brothers, along with their friend William S. Harley, took it as a learning experience and began working on a new, improved machine. The new prototype was assembled in a shed in the Davidson family’s backyard.

In 1906, Harley and the Davidson brothers started their first factory and produced about 50 motorcycles that year. The business became so successful that it was one of the only 2 major American motorcycle manufacturers that survived the Great Depression.