9/4/16

Learn More About the History Behind the Harley Davidson Motorcylces

Tomorrow night on Discovery you can learn all you ever wanted to know about the history behind the Harley Davidson motorcycle.  The three-night program, Harley and the Davidsons, is a dramatization of this history (see the trailer here).  Discovery notes:

A Harley-Davidson is more than a motorcycle. It is a symbol of Americana, built from the ground up by founders Walter and Arthur Davidson and their friend Bill Harley. But the road to success was not exactly smooth - it was filled with innumerable obstacles, ruthless competitors and extraordinary risks. Together these three young men, the sons of blue-collar immigrants, gave everything they had to ensure the survival of the company they founded. But just how far would they go to reach the ultimate American dream?

Based on a true story, Harley and the Davidsons charts the birth of this iconic bike during a time of great social and technological change beginning at the turn of the 20th century. Walter, Arthur and Bill risked their entire fortune and livelihood to launch the budding enterprise. Each of these men faced very different challenges, but it was the motorcycle that united their dreams and ambitions.

Walter, Arthur, and Bill cemented Harley-Davidson's reputation as a builder of bikes that go anywhere, can ride hard and ignore all the rules. It's a legacy that has endured over 100 years - and at the heart of the brand and its loyal riders.


The story of Walter, Arthur, and Bill is just what we need this Labor Day weekend as people wonder if the US workforce can still make great things.  Maybe this story will inspire a few more inventors to take a chance.  

By the way, you may recognize Michiel Huisman, who plays Walter Davidson.  He also plays Daario Naharis on Game of Thrones watching Daenerys tame dragons.  I guess this was quite a change of pace for him.

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