Around the turn of the 20th century, as the world was transitioning from bicycles to automobiles, a young bike racer and inventor named Albert Champion emigrated from France to America. With a fascination for electrical ignition components, Champion set up a factory in 1905, financed by brothers Robert A. and Frank D. Stranahan, in the old Cyclorama Building in Boston’s South End. The Cyclorama Building has its own interesting history but that’s a story for another day.
Champion imported parts and materials from his native France, including those made by the Nieuport Aircraft Co., makers of well regarded World War I biplanes. By 1907, the Albert Champion Co. was producing Champion spark plugs using porcelain insulators to shield the center electrode, the first to do so in the U.S.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.