<Li> Industrial / Commercial (I / C)--This series of engines, initially ranging from 3 to 20.5 hp (15.3 kW), was introduced in 1979 as Briggs & Stratton's answer to high quality commercial - duty engines produced by competitors . These engines include heavy - duty features such as Stellite exhaust valves, upgraded bearings, cast iron sleeved cylinder bores and high - capacity air cleaners . </Li> <Li> Briggs & Stratton HYBRID--In 1980, at the tail end of the energy crisis, Briggs & Stratton developed the first gasoline - electric hybrid automobile . "The Hybrid" was designed by Brooks Stevens and powered by a twin - cylinder 16 hp (11.9 kW) Briggs & Stratton engine and a large electric battery . </Li> <Li> Magnetron Ignition--This solid state ignition system introduced by Briggs & Stratton in 1982 eliminated the points and condenser system, the performance of which steadily degraded between required periodic maintenance service . Magnetron was made available for retrofitment to Briggs & Stratton engines made since 1963 . Competitor Tecumseh had made a capacitor discharge ignition setup since 1968 for their cast iron engine models, expanding its availability and making it standard equipment on vertical shaft engines powering lawn mowers in late 1976, five years before the advent of the Briggs Magnetron . Defunct competitor Clinton Engines commercialized a piezo "Spark Pump" ignition without breaker points in the early 1960s . </Li> <P> The Briggs & Stratton logo was always a masthead, but it has been changed several times over the course of the company's 80 - plus years . </P>

What year did briggs and stratton stop using points