Go Big or Go Home: Two Men and a Dream

   Of all the earliest motorcycle pioneers, two men shared a dream to mass produce the best built motor driven bicycle the world had ever seen. In just 10 short years their efforts and determination would place them at the forefront of the motorcycle industry as heads of the world's largest motorcycle company of the early 20th century. Their names were George M. Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedstrom, and as like others, they started their careers as bicycle racers and manufacturers. 

  George Hendee was born in 1866 in Watertown, Massachusetts. At the age of 16 he began racing the high wheel bicycles that were popular at the time. He quickly became a legend of the sport, winning championships for 1 mile, 2 mile, 5 mile, 10 mile, and 20 mile races. He won the title National Amateur High Wheel Champion by age 20, winning an estimated 302 races of 309 entered. 

  In 1892 George Hendee retired from bicycle racing and began bicycle manufacturing three years later. He and a business partner formed the Hendee & Nelson Manufacturing Co. and offered safety bicycles for men and women called the Silver King and Silver Queen respectively. The venture soon failed and the company entered bankruptcy. Determined to achieve success, Hendee bought the company and all it's machinery and tooling at auction, incorporating under the name Hendee Manufacturing Company in 1898.

  Continuing the Silver King and Silver Queen lines, Hendee sought to market a bicycle to other parts of the world, but wanted it to be easily recognized as American made. It was the height of the era of Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Shows and the world was fascinated with visions of the freedom, courage, and danger of the recently tamed west. Wanting to conjure feelings of excitement and freedom with his new bicycle, Hendee called it the "American Indian", later shortening it to just "Indian".

  In addition to manufacturing bicycles, Hendee continued his involvement with racing as a race promoter. It was good advertisement and good business. At one such race he met Oscar Hedstrom and his remarkably well built pacing machine. 

   Carl Oscar Hedstrom was born in Sweden in 1871. He came to America with his family in 1880 and they settled in Brooklyn, NYC. At the age of 16 he took a job in small shop in the Bronx where he learned to make watch components. Working in several workshops until the age of 21, he increased his skills in engineering and manufacturing. In his spare time he built bicycles. His bicycles were lighter and better built than many others of the time. 

  Soon, he was using his engineering talent to design and cast engine components and his own carburetor. He developed his own tandem pacing machine for use by bicycle racers. His machine was well made, using an improved frame design and offered more reliable starting. 

  George Hendee met Oscar Hedstrom and his pacer at a bicycle race in 1900 and was instantly impressed. He presented to Hedstrom the idea of a motorized bicycle produced for the public, not just as a pacing machine. Hendee and Hedstrom signed a partnership agreement in 1901 to build a "motor-driven bicycle that could be produced in volume, not for pace making, but for the everyday use of the general public". Hedstrom joined the company as Chief Engineer and Designer, taking charge of all aspects of manufacturing. Hendee continued as company President and General Manager. That same year, they produced a prototype and two production models. 

  Their new machine bore the name "Indian" and was manufactured by the Hendee Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Massachusetts. It's engine was 13 cubic inches and made around 1 horsepower. It had a cam actuated mechanical exhaust valve and an atmospheric intake valve. It used a carburetor and muffler of Hedstrom's design, a battery and coil ignition system attached to the front down tube, and could do 25 mph (40.2 km/h).

  To prove the capabilities and usefulness of their new machine, they invited the press to a demonstration. Near the factory was a steep hill, and as the press watched, Hedstrom rode up with ease stopping and starting multiple times. 

  The Indian was an instant hit with the public. In 1902 they sold 143 units. In 1903 Hedstrom set a speed record of 56 mph (90 km/h) and they sold 376 machines. In 1905 they developed a V-twin racer, offering the public a V-twin in 1907.

  Indian Motocycles (the "r" was dropped to differentiate from other manufacturers) were entered into speed contests and races at every opportunity, including endurance runs across the country. In 1911 a factory sponsored team competed at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, where Indian placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Indian motocycles were soon a common sight in the winner's circle. 

  By 1912 the Hendee Manufacturing Co. was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. The high point of production was 1913, at 32,000 motorcycles sold worldwide. But, due to disagreements with company stockholders about their objections to factory sponsored racing, and disagreements with Hendee regarding manufacturing decisions, Hedstrom chose to retire from the company that same year. Three years later, in 1916, Hendee also retired from the company, leaving it in the hands of stockholders. 

  With both founders gone from the company, things would take a new direction. The decision would be made to restructure under the name of the Indian Motocycle Company by the early 20s. New designers would join the company and bring us some of the best motorcycles to ever travel the highways or compete on a race track, but those motorcycles are for another story, on another day.