Eugene Goodman (businessman)

His father had a small shop on Great Hampton Street in Birmingham selling and making bicycles and fittings.

The motorcycle market was very much in its infancy, however and sales were poor so he decided to produce a 499cc belt drive model to bring in some much needed cash.

In 1913, the company first used the trade name Velocette for a small two stroke motorcycle invented by Percy, and the name was then used for many later cycles as well.

In 1925 Goodman had a breakthrough when his 348cc overhead cam prototype was entered in the Isle of Man TT, which was one of the most famous road races of the time and a great 'proving ground' for motorcycle manufacturers.

In 1971 rising development costs and the owners' racing expenses took their toll on the company's bottom line and they went into voluntary liquidation.