This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Bosch spark plug. Patented in 1902 by automotive icon Robert Bosch, the much-improved plug was engineered to work in conjunction with a high-voltage magneto ignition system also developed by Bosch. That first year saw the manufacture of about 300 spark plugs.
Earlier spark plugs, says Bosch, were unable to sustain continuous, reliable ignition. Fouling was a common problem, and spark plugs had to be removed and cleaned regularly. Bosch’s efforts changed all that.
As a testament to his work, the spark plugs of today, while advanced in materials, lifespan and refinement, bear a striking similarity to his original design.
