History of the humble spark plug

On January 7, 1902, Bosch was granted the patent for a high-voltage magneto in combination with a spark plug. This invention was the first to guarantee reliable ignition of the air-fuel mixture in internal combustion engines, meaning Bosch spark plugs helped to achieve a breakthrough in the automotive industry. For 111 years, Bosch spark plugs have played an essential role in the development of high-performance, economical and environmentally-friendly engines. Today, virtually all vehicle manufacturers put their trust in Bosch spark plugs in their original equipment. Boat engines, jet skis, garden and forestry equipment, stationary gas engines, water pumps and emergency generators also use Bosch spark plugs.

  • Current Bosch product range comprises around 1250 types of spark plug
  • Virtually all vehicle manufacturers now place their trust in Bosch spark plugs
  • Modern spark plugs protect the engine and catalytic converter

In the last 111 years, Bosch has developed over 20,000 different types of spark plug and produced over 11 billion spark plugs in total. In addition to production in Germany, spark plugs are also currently being manufactured at Bosch locations in Brazil, China, India and Russia. Working closely with engine manufacturers worldwide, Bosch engineers have consistently developed the spark plugs since their conception. The current Bosch product range comprises around 1250 types of spark plug with 26 different electrode layouts. Thanks to innovative material combinations, complex construction details and state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, Bosch spark plugs enable clean and efficient fuel combustion in gasoline engines and protect both the engine and the catalytic converter. Among motorists, Bosch spark plugs have been synonymous with quality and reliability for many years.

Figure 1 111 years of spark plugs

Overview

  • 1902: Bosch granted the patent for a high-voltage magneto in combination with a spark plug
  • 1914: First Bosch spark plug factory opened in Stuttgart.
  • 1927: “Heat range” concept introduced by Bosch – Bosch still uses the same standard measurement for a spark plug’s thermal productivity today. It is important for ensuring optimal calibration in each engine
  • 1939: Spark plug factory opened in Bamberg.
  • 1968: One billion spark plugs produced by Bosch
  • 2012: Eleven billion spark plugs produced by Bosch
  • 2013: 111-year anniversary of Bosch spark plugs

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