Entrepreneur. He was an American businessman, who was one of the four original founders of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, a motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1903. The company survived the cheaper-made Model-T Ford of the 1920s, the Great Depression of the 1930s and over the years, several strong competitors, remaining since 1953 the only motorcycle manufacturer in the United States in the 21st century. Born the oldest son, his father William C. Davidson was a carpenter for the Milwaukee Railroad. Bringing a wealth of experience and judgment, he had acquired management skills as a toolroom foreman for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company. As a cautious married man with children, he did not leave the railroad position until 1907 to join with his brothers' business adventure. Many had attempted to build a motorized bicycle, meeting the big problem of making a motor small enough to mount on the frame of a bicycle, and if a motorized bicycle could be invented, would this new machine be produced fast enough to make a profit. His early involvement with motorcycles is documented on a 1901 blueprint showing his design. With his shy, quiet nature and his premature greying hair, he earned the nickname of "The Silent Grey Fellow." Years later, a motorcycle would take the name of "The Silent Grey Fellow". With his two brothers, Walter and Arthur, and his friend William "Bill" Harley, he built the first Harley-Davidson "factory" in a converted ten-by-fifteen-foot shed in the Davidsons' backyard, moving the factory from their parents' basement. With the three brothers holding the majority of the shares, it can only be theorized why the company was named Harley-Davidson instead of Davidson-Harley. Seeking expansion of the rapidly growing factory, the Davidson brothers' bachelor great uncle, James McLay, an 80-year-old beekeeper, loaned the company $170 to build the 2,380-square-foot shop. The company opened its first dealership in 1905. With 18 employees, the company was incorporated in 1907. By 1909 the company was making 1,149 bikes, including 27 of their trademark V-Twin engine models with a top speed of 60 miles per hour. In 1912 Harley-Davidson patented their much-recognized emblem, the Bar and Shield. While his brother Walter became famous for winning motorcycle races, he served as the behind the scenes racing engineer. By 1920 the racing motorcycle was nicknamed "The Hog," and a proven champion of speed as well as the dangerous 3-day endurance races. The three Davidson brothers and Harley became the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, and each had their specialized role in the company's success, with his being the company's Vice President and the plant manager. His open-door policy gave respect to loyal employees and gave him the hands-on concerns of the employees. This led to improving the product as well as the working conditions. Knowing the best steel, his desk would be piled high with pieces of metal parts as he directed the manufacturing methods of the company. In the 1930s, the company started making the three-wheeled Harley-Davidson Servi-Car, which was used to make deliveries, and this followed with making police motorcycles. He was known for his charity and generosity, especially during the Christmas season. He battled to keep the organized unions out of his shop, but two days after his death, the agreement to allow unions was signed. According to his obituary, he died from complications of surgery at age 66. In 1942, his son William H. Davidson would become Harley-Davidson's president as well as grandson, John, in 1973 and in various company positions, his great grandchildren in the 21st century. In 1973 the factory was moved to York, Pennsylvania but the old site remains the international headquarters of Harley-Davidson. In 1998 the Davidson brothers and Bill Harley were inducted into the American Motorcycle Hall of Fame. For making a positive contribution to how Americans work and live, he and his brothers William and Walter, along with William Harley were posthumously inducted in the Labor Hall of Fame in 2004. The made-for-television mini-series "Harley and the Davidsons" aired on the Disney Channel in 2006. Several biographies of the Harley-Davidson co-founders have been published. In the 21st century, his motorcycle business is worth over six billion dollars.