George N. Pierce bought controlling rights of his bird cage manufacturing company in 1896 and began producing bicycles. Soon afterward he moved onto automobiles, producing a steam car in 1900. The Great Arrow was introduced with a 4 cylinder gasoline engine in 1904. The first of the famed Glidden Tours was held in 1905 and a Great Arrow won.
In 1909 the company’s name was changed to Pierce-Arrow. The most famous Pierce-Arrow feature, the fender headlamp, was introduced in 1913. The fender headlamp was designed in-house and patented by Herbert M. Dawley. Drum headlamps would remain an option through 1932.
By 1915 Pierce Arrow had built its 12,000th automobile and was considered to be in the highest echelon of the luxury car market in both quality and output. Pierce-Arrow’s made their way into the most elegant garages in America. The Dual Valve 6 was introduced in 1918 and became a favorite of rum-runners because of its reliability and quiet engine. In 1928 the company merged with Studebaker.
