“TO SPARK THE WIDE WORLD“ 1970s CHAMPION AUTOMOBILE SPARK PLUGS PROMO FILM XD43885

Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website “To Spark the Wide World ” is a color, 70s-era promotional film for Champion company of Toledo, Ohio. The film particularly underscores Champion spark plug production, the company’s growing international business, and the employees at factories from Mexico to England. It also showcases the company’s philanthropic efforts, and financial support for employees and their families. Champion was founded by Albert Champion in 1905 and remained a family business until the 1980s. Today it is owned by Federal-Mogul Corp. producing spark plugs for a wide range of applications, as well as wiper blades, batteries, oil filters, lighting, and glow plugs. Big Ben, pedestrian traffic around London, the Queen’s Guard wearing bearskins (0:07). Royal Warrant crest to HM Queen Elizabeth II on the facade of Champion Upton, England factory (0:14). Champion factory and warehouse Toledo, Ohio (0:22). Young blonde British woman Margaret in UK factory before footage cuts to another young, female employee Mary in Detroit factory performing same job (0:26). Champion factory in Mexico City, voice over of female operator calling in to HQ in Toledo (0:36). Mexican employee Samuel sits and operates machinery along assembly line (0:45). Champion production plant Belgium, female operator calls in to HQ in Toledo (0:51). Champion logo plastered across globe, images of other Champion factories in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Venezuela, Canada screen (0:58). Other corporations under Champion umbrella: DeVilbiss, Magnaflux, Baron Steel Co., Port Industry Toledo (1:06). R.A. and F.D. Stranahan (1:40). Exterior/ interior shots original Champion plant/ small shop in Toledo Ohio (1:43). (1:51). Champion International Ignition and Engine Performance Conference in Mexico City, Columna de la Independencia, conference center (1:54). Mazda RX-2 pulls into gas station, Wankel Rotary Engine (2:32). Champion engineers testing spark plugs for Wankel Engine, tests on all kinds of engines - lawnmowers, outboards, race car engines (2:50). Worldwide research and engineering efforts, engineers at work in largest research and engineering center at HQ in Toledo (3:50). Secretaries in filing room and power filing cabinet containing designs for all Champion Spark Plugs (4:08). First step in production of Champion Spark Plug: interior Baron Drawn Steel Co, production of steel parts make their way down assembly line (4:23). Step two: insulators produced at one of five ceramic plants, aluminum oxide refined in rotating vats (4:52). Profile of American factory worker Shelly, montage scenes of various parts of assembly line as Shelly narrates (5:13). British employee Anne narrates as her hands quickly add insulation to blank steel pieces on rotating machine (5:44). Mexican employee Samuel narrates as he works the rotary block tamper machine (6:02). After hours activities for employees: puck-up games of baseball, soccer, tennis, art group paints at studio (7:06). Interview with Marilyn who is in charge of inspecting final product, inspection process (7:37). Champion corporate HQ, marketing in Japanese, German, Spanish, other languages (9:16). Champion Racing Program: scenes of motorbike, car, boat races and interview with Champion’s coordinator of racing (9:55). Blue Flame Run at Bonneville Salt Flats (10:30). Logos of Champion corporate and civic partners - Salvation Army, American Cancer Society, International Red Cross; Champion employees volunteering, exterior Stranahan Theater, scholarship fund for children of employees (10:53). Indy 500 driver, Jerry Grant, speaks to high schoolers as part of Champion Spark Plug Company Highway Safety Program (12:01). Champion subsidiaries: Magnaflux - nondestructive testing systems i.e. steel frames of buildings John Hancock Building, Chicago and frames of large jets (12:52). DeVilbiss Company - spray painting technology: car frames painted on assembly line, medical equipment like Doppler Ultrasound, Minidop used to identify blood flow problems (13:14). Example of Champion PR material for special anti-pollution campaign (14:46). 1970s Dodge Ram Van mobile service laboratory, training seminar given out of back of truck; Champion Technical Services Training Schools classes (15:06). Montage (16:05). Robert A. Stranahan Jr. exits office, interview with Stranahan before he gets into Champion Grumman G-1159 Gulfstream II (16:54). The End (18:48). This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
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