fordsnake
I live for the CABE
There are many articles on the Hendee and Hedstrom partnership and their motorcycle mission from 1900-1916. What seems lost is the bicycle side of the story from 1901 to 1916. This is where the gaps are?
It appears Hendee and Hedstrom were out to make a difference in the transportation world, but not with bicycles. It appears they produced bicycles until 1902, at which time the production of Indian motorcycles overshadowed the production of bicycles. It was not until the year 1916, when Westfield stepped in and the Indian Bicycles were back in production.
Here’s an excerpt about George M. Hendee and the discontinuing of bicycle manufacturing for 14 years.
1916 Indian Bicycle Catalog, page 09
1897 saw the beginning of the expansion of a name that means more in the two-wheeled industry than any other today. The Hendee Manufacturing Company was formed and floor space taken in a building on Worthington Street. Here the manufacture of Indian Bicycles started and went on until 1902, when the development of the motorcycle made their discontinuance necessary because Mr. Hendee felt it imperative that he give all his time and effort to the gasoline machine.
And now, after fourteen years, 1916 again brings back the Indian Bicycle.
Why?
Because both dealer and public have demanded a bicycle of INDIAN design, of INDIAN worth and carrying the service guarantee that the name INDIAN implies.
So once more we find the man who did so much for the bicycle again working and planning for it with the same enthusiasm that he had in his teens…
It appears Hendee and Hedstrom were out to make a difference in the transportation world, but not with bicycles. It appears they produced bicycles until 1902, at which time the production of Indian motorcycles overshadowed the production of bicycles. It was not until the year 1916, when Westfield stepped in and the Indian Bicycles were back in production.
Here’s an excerpt about George M. Hendee and the discontinuing of bicycle manufacturing for 14 years.
1916 Indian Bicycle Catalog, page 09
1897 saw the beginning of the expansion of a name that means more in the two-wheeled industry than any other today. The Hendee Manufacturing Company was formed and floor space taken in a building on Worthington Street. Here the manufacture of Indian Bicycles started and went on until 1902, when the development of the motorcycle made their discontinuance necessary because Mr. Hendee felt it imperative that he give all his time and effort to the gasoline machine.
And now, after fourteen years, 1916 again brings back the Indian Bicycle.
Why?
Because both dealer and public have demanded a bicycle of INDIAN design, of INDIAN worth and carrying the service guarantee that the name INDIAN implies.
So once more we find the man who did so much for the bicycle again working and planning for it with the same enthusiasm that he had in his teens…