TRIUMPH
Brand
TRIUMPHTriumph was founded in 1885 by Siegfried Bettman, a German expatriate in England. At the time, this cycle sales company was named after its creator. Very quickly, he understood that his German name would be a handicap for his company and he decided to give it an English name: Triumph.
Subsequently, he joined Mauritz Schulte, a technician, with whom he planned to develop engines.
The first Triumph motorcycle was created in 1902. The cylinders will increase over the years
Then came the First World War, during which Triumph motorcycles were commandeered by the army. Schulte eventually left the company 1 year after the end of the war.
Subsequently, the arrival of Val Page, a technician, will help modernize the company. However, despite the great success and increase in sales, the company will lose a lot of money.
Triumph was eventually sold to Jack Sangter (Ariel), and he headed the Edward Turner design firm. This one will have the idea of simplifying the range with single-cylinder. This was the birth of "speed twin" in 1937.
In 1940, when the Second World War broke out, the factory was destroyed by the Germans in a bombardment. A factory was rebuilt in just two years. Until the end of the war, Triumph produced more than 50,000 motorcycles.
Following this episode, the company resumed production of twin-cylinders and exported to America where the thunderbird was released in 1949. It is in America that Triumph will develop the most thanks to these rugged bikes.
Triumph will release many motorcycle models and will remain a world-renowned European brand.