Harley-Davidson history is long and proud and began at the start of the 20th century. The beginnings of this American icon were very humble. William S. Harley, born in 1880 and Arthur Davidson, born in 1881 lived next door to each other in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.While the two friends were working in a local manufacturing plant, they decided to build an internal combustion engine to be used on bicycles. They became friends with a German co-worker who was familiar with the De Dion engine already being used in Europe. With his help, they designed a small air-cooled engine.
