Oscar Hedstrom

Carl Oscar Hedstrom ( born March 12, 1871 Carl Oscar Hedstrom in Lönneberga, Sweden, † August 29 1960 in Portland, Connecticut), was a Swedish- American inventor, motorcycle pioneer and co-founder of the Indian Motocycle Company. Hedstrom was considered a technical genius, and in the 1900s as "the best of America motorcycle Entwicker ".

Life

Hedstrom was born in Sweden. 1880 emigrated with his family to the United States. With 16 years in a watch factory Hedstrom learned the profession of the toolmaker and graduated as a journeyman. Hedstrom, enthusiastic about the emerging sport of cycling, also devoted his free time to the improvement of bicycles and pacemaker machines with De Dion -Bouton engine for racing, which he used successfully with his partner Henshaw in 1899. In January 1901 Oscar Hedstrom met the businessman George Hendee, who was interested in his technical skills. Still In 1901 the founding of the Indian Motocycle Company. Hedstrom drew at an engine which was a copy of Emil F. Hafelfingers motor, which in turn bonds held at De Dion -Bouton. 1901 Hedstrom presented three copies of his new engine ready. Until 1913 Hedstrom was responsible for the technical development of Indian - at that time the largest motorcycle factory in the world.

Hedstrom was extremely inventive and held several patents, including on

• Chain tensioner (26 August 1902)
• " Camel -back tank " with two separate tanks for petrol and oil (26 August 1902)
• Ignition timing (12 May 1903)
• Carburetor (9 June 1903)
• Throttle grip (12 July 1904)
• Pendulum fork (10 January 1905)
• Leaf suspension fork and rear suspension (23 June 1914).

On March 28, 1903 Hedstrom presented in Ormond Beach with an Indian on a ( unofficial ) world speed record for motorcycles of 56 mph (90 km / h). In 1913 he sold his shares in the company, retired from business and lived there until his death in Portland.