Interesting Bosch Info

[Keith Smigle]

This is some interesting Bosch mag info I found on the web:

American Bosch (originally Robert Bosch) built magnetos (a device that produces alternating current for distribution to the spark plugs, used in the ignition systems of some internal-combustion engines) in Germany for the newly emerging gas engine industry starting around 1905 or so. Robert Bosch was probably one of the most prolific of the early magneto builders making many design innovations. His shuttle-wound armature design was copied by almost every other magneto builder of the time, but Bosch was always the best. A properly tuned DU4 with all new parts could jump a 7mm gap (almost 3/8") with very little effort. Bosch mags were used heavily in cars, trucks, tractors, motorcycles, stationary engines and airplanes. Their aviation mags were so popular, that they adopted "Fritz The Flyer" as their company as their company mascot, and that appeared on many of their mags. Their official company logo, the armature, was used on many of their early mags and is still used today by their power tool division.

During and after WW I, German assets were seized by the US government and sold to the highest bidder under the Trading With The Enemy act. The Robert was dropped from the name and they became simply known as "Bosch". This did not sit well with many American consumers who recognized the German "Bosch" name. The name was quickly changed to American Bosch and production continued in the US under that name for quite some time. One of their largest contracts was for an ultra-compact and low-cost mag to be used by Fairbanks-Morse, the AB33. After many years and many engines, Fairbanks-Morse asked American Bosch to try and reduce the cost of the mag. The reduced cost version became known as the AB34. This proved to have some manufacturing problems and Fairbanks asked Bosch to switch back after only 1 year..

[Jonathan Widelo]

The Building which housed American Bosch, which was located Chicopee / Sprngfield Line Main Street / Center Street on December 16 2004 was destoyed by a Four Alarm Fire. I do hae a picture of how it looked originally from a local paper I will hae to take a picture of it and up load it to this site.
It's sad to see another site with significance to the engine community burn down.

I thought I would add a little further info

Jonathan

[John Hammink]

Keith, here you have an image of Fritz the Flyer.

[Craig A]

Bosch not only built great mags but ALSO invented the biggest improvement EVER in magneto history: the IMPULSE start mechanism.