Article by Revolution Motorcycle Marketing
Perry E. Mack, an engineer, worked for Harley-Davidson in 1905. In 1910, he worked for the Steco Cyclecar Co. That same year, Mack was hired by Waverly Manufacturing. In 1911, he created a 500cc single-cylinder overhead-valve engine capable of up to 5 horsepower. This engine was named P.E.M., which utilized Mack’s initials.
For a short period, up to 1911, he produced these motorcycles with Frank Kenzler under the name Kenzler-Waverly. In 1912, Mack left the company and joined A.O. Smith. He assisted in the design of the engines used in the Smith Motor Wheel. The company then moved to Jefferson, Wisconsin.
In 1913, Mack introduced “The New Jefferson” engine. The name reflected the city where the engines and motorcycles were manufactured. Then, in 1915, the name switched to just “Jefferson.”
Many of the Jefferson motors were used in racing machines because of their powerful overhead-valve design. The engine could produce 9 horsepower. The motors were made until 1919, when the company was dissolved. Even though the engines found success in races, by 1919, the competitive nature of the industry forced the company out of business.
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