Talk:Ignis/@comment-85.23.198.132-20151022151840/@comment-85.23.198.132-20151028012140

...what electric arc? They used a heated wire coil you know.

At least as common, if not moreso, was instead using ignition cartridges - good old black powder worked fine - which in at least one design (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LPO-50) also served as the propellant.