Indian (motorcycle)

The Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company was founded as the Hendee Manufacturing Company by George M. Hendee and C. Oscar Hedstrom in Springfield, Illinois in 1901.

Hendee and Hedstrom were both motorcycle racers, Hendee having been the "high wheel" champion.

The company went on to manufacture other products such as aircraft engines, bicycles, boat motors and air conditioners. Manufacture of all products was halted in 1953.

The most popular models were the Scout, made prior to WWII, and the Chief, which had its heyday from 1946-53 (although 1949 production was extremely limited).

The company went back into manufacturing in 1999 with a newer version of the Scout, and now also produces Chief and Spirit models.