Birth of a playboy
Cushman Motor Scooter
In 1901 cousins Everett and Clinton Cushman began constructing farm machinery in Nebraska, USA. When one Everett Sawyer joined in 1909, production shifted to farm engines and in 1913 the company incorporated as the Cushman Motor Works.
By 1920, farmers across the States were using Cushman two- and four-horsepower engines to operate most of their machinery. However, in 1935 a youngster in search of spare parts brought a scooter to the Cushman plant. Powered by an old Cushman washing machine motor, the scooter intrigued Cushman's then-owner Charles Ammon, who thought it might make an ideal way to increase their engine sales. The first Cushman motor scooter was born in 1936, and sales boomed.
Throughout World War II, the company produced scooters for the Navy, the Army, and the Army Air Forces. Cushman also manufactured a special airborne model scooter designed to be dropped by parachute to troops behind enemy lines and they also manufactured three-wheeled delivery vehicles for the military.
The 50 Series Step Through Scooter was introduced in 1946 and the improved 60 Series in 1949. In 1950 the Cushman plant expanded to 250,000 square feet and after converting to assembly line principles, the plant was able to produce ten thousand scooters per year, along with Husky air-cooled engines and Cub water-cooled engines.
The very successful Cushman Eagle was introduced towards the end of 1950 and scooter production continued until 1965. Since then, Cushman have concentrated their efforts on building specialty vehicles.
For further information on Cushman Scooter's visit: www.hobbytech.com