Firestone Spark Plugs with Packaging, circa 1942

01

Artifact Overview

Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine's cylinders. High voltage jumps across a gap between two electrodes on the plug's bottom and creates a spark. The plug's top is connected to a wire that runs to the distributor, which in turn is connected to the ignition coil and the battery.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Spark plug

Date Made

circa 1942

Place of Creation

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America

Object ID

87.198.7.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Metal
Ceramic (Material)
Cardboard

Dimensions

Height: 1.25 in (box)
Width: 3.5625 in
Length: 1.25 in

Inscriptions

On box: FIRESTONE / SPARK PLUGS / WITH POLONIUM / (RADIOACTIVE) / ELECTRODES / F-40
Firestone Spark Plugs with Packaging, circa 1942