c.1908-1915 USA photo children on Indian motorcycle
Attractive photo of father standing beside Indian motorcycle. One child sitting on main seat, second on back rack. 2 ⅝” x 4 ¼” Indian Motorcycle was founded in 1901 in Springfield, Massachusetts, by George M. Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedström. Originally called the Hendee Manufacturing Company, it began as a bicycle manufacturer producing the Silver King and Silver Queen brands. Hendee, a competitive cyclist, partnered with Swedish engineer Hedström to create a gasoline-powered bicycle, marking the birth of America’s first successful motorcycle prototype The first Indian motorcycle, known as the “Single,” was produced in 1902, featuring a 1.75-horsepower engine and quickly gaining popularity Indian quickly became a leader in motorcycle innovation. In 1907, the company introduced the V-twin engine, the first American production V-twin, which offered smoother operation and greater power than single-cylinder competitors Indian motorcycles dominated early racing, including a 1-2-3 finish at the inaugural Indianapolis Motor Speedway race and victories at the Isle of Man TT . These achievements cemented Indian’s reputation for performance and reliability.