The popular culture artifact I chose is Harley Davidson. The Harley Davidson brand name is found throughout modern society not only in the United States but in many other countries as well. Harley Davidson has attained a following which is present in almost every occupation and income level. The name Harley Davidson or the simply abbreviated “Harley” is recognized as more than just a brand of motorcycle. For some, it is lifestyle. Following World War II, Harley Davidson was the preferred motorcycle brand of motorcycle clubs and was associated with outlaw biker gangs of the ‘50s, ‘60s and into the ‘70s. Musicians, professional athletes, actors and others capitalize on that bad boy image to help establish their own. The signature V-twin engine found on nearly every model of Harley Davidson has been copied by many Japanese motorcycle manufacturers in an attempt to capture a broader market. Though, in many cases, technologically superior, the copies have not effectively taken market share from Harley.

References:Brown, R. B. (2005). Profiles of popular culture. Madison, WI. : The University of Wisconsin Press