From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Switching from German Bosch spark plugs to Lodge plugs due to wartime material shortages.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 79\1\ scan0042 | |
| Date | 8th February 1915 | |
| Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}/Mcr1/L8215. X 607 Re Plugs of German manufacture. D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} 8.2.15. In reply to your memo D64/OS4215, we should certainly inform Mrs Smith's chauffeur that we are not still using Bosch Plugs but that for some little time past we have been using Lodge Sparking Plugs. These are practically a copy of the Bosch, they use the same kind of porcelain for the insulator and the same method of fixing the insulator into the plug body. In our Experimental Shop we ran some very extensive endurance tests with both types of plugs, and the result although slightly in favour of the German plug, convinced us that there was practically no difference between the two makes and they were accordingly standardised and ordered up for "G" series. This decision was not in any way influenced by the War. Since the War however the Lodge people have written us stating that it is impossible for them to continue manufacturing the old standard plug as the insulator is made from a material which is only found in Germany. They have therefore had to slightly alter the design to | ||