The Indian Motorcycle Company began producing their first, single cylinder motorcycles in 1902, becoming one of the first motorcycle brands not only in the US, but in the world. The company was formed by Oscar Hedstrom and George Hendee and with Hedstrom's engineering skills and Hendee's business abilities, their company soon started to flourish. Indian motorcycles were groundbreakers. For example, the Hendee Special built in 1913 was the first ever motorcycle with electric start and a fully modern electrical system. Before the outbreak of World War I, Hedstrom and Hendee built Indian up to be the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, producing over 20,000 bikes per year.

The Chief was introduced in 1922 as Indian's top of the range model. It was based on the Indian Scout frame but had a larger, 61 ci V Twin engine. The added power gave the chief instant appeal to consumers and was an immediate success. The larger 74 ci engine was introduced in 1923 and in 1940 the trademark full skirted guards appeared. The Chief was at its most popular between 1946 and 1948 due to the post war boom but by 1949 the factory considered it obsolete and there was no Chief that year. The Chief's absence id not last long and it was back by popular demand in 1950 although production finally ceased in 1953.

The 1947 Indian Chief in the Mathews Collection has a 74 ci flathead engine with a 3 speed transmission, a left hand tank shift and left side foot clutch. This was the first year Indian introduced the head fender light and for the first time the left hand shifter/right hand throttle was offered as a factory option.