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).
The use of Firth's Stainless Steel in Lodge Sparking Plugs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 79\1\ scan0232 | |
| Date | 4th November 1920 | |
| H.R. 285A (100 T) (S.G. 648, 19-2-20) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2618 X 601 Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} c. to ERC. (crossed out) c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} (crossed out) c. to Ms. (crossed out) Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}2/NJ4.11.20. Lodge Sparking Plugs. Two or three weeks ago it came to my knowledge that Firths (Sheffield) were using Lodge sparking plugs with centre electrode made of Firth's Stainless Steel and said plugs had given them great satisfaction. In consequence I wrote Lodge Plugs Ltd. on 26th ult. as per copy attached, which brought from them a reply, dated 27th ult. copy of which is also attached. Since then I wrote them on the 2nd inst. and received a reply, dated 3rd inst. copies of which are also attached hereto. You will note that in their letter of the 3rd inst. Lodge Plugs Ltd. state that they employ special alloy steel for the centre electrodes of their D.16 and D.20 Aero Plugs, but they do not definitely state that the special alloy steel is Firth's Stainless Steel. I happen to know, however, that this is the case; in fact I have seen a letter from Lodge Plugs Ltd. to Firths in which they refer to the use of Stainless Steel in one or two models of their plugs. I bring this matter to your notice as I think it may be of interest and not necessarily with a view to the adoption of Stainless Steel for the centre electrode of the C.9 type plug which we are using. [STAMPED] RECEIVED NOV 5 1920 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}8/NJ261020 att. Ltr. WS/MAW. " Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}3/NJ21120 " EH/EW. " Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} NJ! | ||