Ballast

The "original" intent for ballast resistors was to cut the voltage to the points, thus making them last longer. The coil will also get hotter without one.
If that were the case, then a regular resistor would be used, not a ballast type that changes resistance with temperature. 'Ballast' has a specific meaning and function in electronics; it is a basic form of current regulator. The 'resistance' (pardon the pun) to using actual electronics knowledge in this matter is perplexing ..... ??