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The symbol of the “armature within a circle” has accompanied the development of the company since its very early years. The “double-T armature” which inspired the symbol type is the core of the first series-manufactured Bosch product, the magneto ignition device. Bosch made this product from 1887 on, at first in small batches as an ignition system for stationary internal combustion engines. In 1897, it was re-designed as an ignition system for cars. Gottlob Honold, a former apprentice of Bosch and subsequently his head of development, then modified the system further to create a high-voltage ignition system, which could be adjusted without great effort to any type of vehicle. For decades, magneto ignition remained the sole practical ignition method for motor vehicles. This made it a key product for the company, and its success meant that Bosch rose to become an internationally operating group, with production of this system running into millions. Not only was Honold a brilliant designer — his artistic flair inspired him to take the shape of the double-T armature in the magneto ignition as the basis for the “armature in a circle” symbol type in 1918, which was registered by the German patent office in 1919 and has stood worldwide for Bosch quality ever since 1920.
Reproduction for press purposes free of charge with credit “Picture: Bosch”.