A
gremlin is a mischievous creature of
folklore used to describe malfunctions in aircraft in
World War II (WW2) and later in other machinery from pilots and technicians. A "Guardian Bell" or "Gremlin Bell" was sometimes used by British and American pilots in
World War II, to ward off "gremlins". World War II gave a big boost to the motorcycle industry when the U.S. military called on manufacturers Harley-Davidson and Indian to produce more than 100,000 motorcycles for the war effort." When the American Veterans returned home many of them continued riding motorcycles and the use of the bell as a protection charm when riding a motorcycle. This custom is still used by some motorcycle riders today, particular riders of
Harley-Davidson and
Indian Motorcycles. The bells come in custom designs as well as duplicated
mass production designs. The "Gremlin Bell" has been patented in the United States, and is recorded in the Official Gazette of the United States Patent & Trademark Office, Volume 1290, Number Four. Guardian® Bell is a registered trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office. ==In popular culture==