Edgar and Allan Hetteen, sons of Swedish immigrants, Emmanuel and Mae, were raised on a homestead south of Roseau in Malung Township. After his mother’s death, David Johnson was taken in by the Hetteens’ grandparents, Betty and Peter, and grew up alongside Edgar and Allan. The three developed a shared interest in hands-on mechanical work.

In 1935, after a fire destroyed the Hetteen home, Mae and Allan moved to Roseau. Edgar left school after eighth grade and began working at age fourteen for his uncle, Oscar Hetteen, at O.K. Welding Company. After five years, he left to pursue auto-body repair, mechanical work, and innovation.

During World War II, both Edgar and David were drafted. Edgar received an honorable discharge due to a physical condition and returned to Roseau, where at age twenty-four he founded Hetteen Hoist and Derrick. Drawing on his experience, he developed and patented an electric hoist for setting heavy wooden utility poles. Meanwhile, David served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946, sending Edgar $11 monthly from his $21 salary. After his discharge, he returned and joined the business as a partner.

Allan began working with Edgar while still in high school and joined full-time after graduation in 1948. In 1950, he secured a $2,000 loan to become a partner, bringing valuable skills in mechanics, welding, and fabrication. On July 21, 1954, the company was incorporated as Polaris Industries Inc., reflecting its growth and expanding capabilities.

In the winter of 1955, David sought an easier way to reach a remote hunting cabin. With Allan and two employees, they built an early snow vehicle prototype using a steel roller chain, welded cleats, a Model T steering system, and a Briggs and Stratton engine. Due to an injury, David did not drive the first machine, so Orlen Johnson took that role in January 1956. By February, Allan completed a second sled. Although initially upset about the use of company resources, Edgar recognized the potential after the first machine sold for $465.

The early machines, first called Pol-Cats and Sno-Cats and later Sno-Travelers, gained traction. In 1956, Edgar traveled to Alaska to establish a dealership, and by 1957 shipments were underway.

In 1960, Edgar resigned after disagreements with the board and later founded Arctic Cat. Allan became president, and David continued leading production. Textron acquired Polaris in 1968, but after an industry downturn, company leadership repurchased it in 1981. Polaris expanded into ATVs, watercraft, off-road vehicles, and motorcycles, becoming a global powersports leader.

What began as a small shop effort by three determined men ultimately transformed winter transportation and recreation.