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line engine expert. Tangible evidence of
his mechanical ability is found in the "In-
dian" Motorcycle, which is a product of
his inventive mind and is the source
through which he has gained an international
reputation. In 1901 he became
identified with the Hendee Manufactur-
ing Company, makers of bicycles at
Springfield, Massachusetts, since which
time he has devoted himself to the me-
chanical department of this concern.
Carl Oscar Hedstrom was born in Srao-
land, Sweden, March 12, 1871, a son of
Andrew and Caroline Hedstrom. He
came to this country with his parents in
1880, settling in Brooklyn, New York,
where he received his education in the
public schools. Having exhibited an ex-
ceptional talent for mechanics, upon leav-
ing school he entered a watch factory
where he became an expert tool maker.
When but twenty-four years of age he
was well on the road to fame and fortune.
A devotee to bicycle racing, which
was at that time very popular, he became
one of the best riders of the day, at first
racing only when it did not interfere with
his trade. With his wonderful mechanical
genius it was only natural that he should
enter upon the design and construction of
racing wheels, and his creations were so
advanced in styles and so complete that
he was commissioned by leading manufacturers
to build racing machines for them,
which he did. Many of the mounts which
the champion riders used in those days
were the handiwork of Mr. Hedstrom, but
bore the name plates of the leading manu-
facturers. When in the latter part of the
nineties the first motor-paced tandems
were brought to this country from France,
Carl Oscar Hedstrom undertook to make
a tandem after his own ideas, with the re-
sult that he produced the most reliable
tandem in this country, which rapidly enhanced
the name and fame of the builder.
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346
Among those who were strongly impressed
with Mr. Hedstrom's abilities was
George M. Hendee, a manufacturer of
bicycles, and in his day the greatest high
wheel champion in American cycling his-
tory. Foreseeing a wonderful future for
the practical motorcycle, he commissioned
Mr. Hedstrom to undertake the construc-
tion of such a machine, and in January,
1901, he became identified with the Hen-
dee Manufacturing Company, makers of
bicycles, at Springfield, Massachusetts.
Soon after entering this concern he made
the first "Indian" Motorcycle, the fore-
runner of the American motorcycle indus-
try. In this machine was installed all that
was known of the gasoline engine art at
that time, together with a number of important
inventions which since have
become accepted standards of the craft.
Prominent among these inventions were
the Hedstrom motor, Hedstrom carbu-
retor, double grip control, countershaft
hanger construction, cushion fork, bayonet
locking inlet valve dome, automatic ignition
cut-out switch, Hedstrom motor
anchorage system, combination tank con-
struction, and compensating sprocket.
Holding the leadership of the industry,
which it never has relinquished, the "In-
dian" to-day is being distributed to world-
wide marts, and has gained for its build-
ers the enviable prestige of being the
largest' producers of motorcycles in the
world. At the Louisiana Purchase Expo-
sition, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904, in
token of his motorcycle genius, the jury of
awards granted him a silver medal and
high diploma of merit, which was the only
one granted in the entire motor vehicle
section of exhibits. It is interesting to
note here that during the World War the
"Indian" played an important part, prov-
ing its invaluable worth to the courier in
the Motor Transport Corps. He is a member
of the Middletown Yacht Club of Mid-