Badges of Distinction - Singular head badges were at one time a vital element of bicycle design and marketing. By the early 1900’s, cycling had become a worldwide craze. Business was booming, with hundreds – some say thousands – of companies making bikes in the U.S. alone. Amid such intense competition, head badges emerged as an eye-catching means of setting brands apart and capturing riders’ imaginations. Why just ride a bike, when you can pilot a Rocket, or shoot through the air like an Arrow? Before long, head badges began to approach high art, involving elaborate designs, intricate construction techniques, and sometimes even precious materials such as silver, gold, and gemstones. Although most bike manufacturers moved away from such ornamental badge design in recent decades, our Badges of Distinction collection celebrates the artistry of these badges from the golden age of hand-built cycles.