[1] Carl Oscar Hedström was born in the parish of Lönneberga, Hultsfred Municipality, Kalmar County, Småland, Sweden.

At age 16, Hedstrom started working at a small engineering workshop in the Bronx, New York, where he learned to manufacture watch cases and components.

The motorized pacers of that time functioned poorly, but Hedstrom's design quickly gained a reputation as being very reliable.

[4] [5] At this time he came into contact with the former cyclist George M Hendee from Springfield, Massachusetts, who now manufactured bicycles and sponsored contests.

[6] [7] The first Indian prototype was then built and completed on May 25, 1901, by Hedström at the old Worcester Cycle Manufacturing Company in Middletown, Connecticut, and the first public demonstration was held on Cross Street in Springfield, Massachusetts at 12:00 noon on Saturday June 1, 1901.