Walter Davidson, Sr.
1998, Industry
Early in life Walter Davidson learned his trade as a machinist, working in railroad shops in Milwaukee and other city. After lending his talents to help build the first Harley Davidson back in 1903, it wasn't long before the demand for additional motorcycles convinced him to give up his work with the railroad and devote his full time to the young but frowing Harley Davidson Motor Company.
From building motorcycles to riding them was a short step for Walter Davidson, who soon became one of the most enthusiastic competition riders. In 1908 he was awarded a diamond medal by the Federation of American Motorcyclist for his winning score in the endurance run of that day, made with a single-cylinder Harley-Davidson. The course of the two-day classic started from Catskill, N.Y. went on to Brooklyn and around Long Island. Shortly thereafter, he established an economy record at Roslyn, Long Island, N.Y., covering fifty miles of hilly road on one quart and one ounce of gasoline. His competition achievements and many victories on hill, road, and track did much to bring Harley-Davidson national recognition.
From the twin viewpoints of being a skilled machinist and a competitive rider, Walter Davidson always insisted on the importance of the highest quality standards in Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In later years, he was widely recognized for his expertise in business and, at the time of his death, he was a trustee of the Northwester Mutual Life Insurance Company, and was a director of the Milwaukee Gas Light Company.
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