Batteries: How were they invented?

Batteries play a central role in our daily working lives. They power our vehicles and appliances, keep our data safe from blackouts and system failures, and help us save money on electricity.

But have you ever wondered about the history behind batteries? How did the idea of the battery come about, and who was the inventor? We’ll answer all your questions in this blog! Plus, you can get these nifty tools at any reputable supplier, e.g. RS Components.

A Brief History of Batteries

The history of batteries begins with an Italian physicist and physician named Luigi Galvani. Although Galvani did not invent the battery himself, his experiments with bioelectricity and animal electricity inspired further investigation that led to the battery’s invention.

Italian chemist and physicist Alessandro Volta is widely credited with inventing the electric battery in 1800. Inspired by Galvani’s early experiments, Volta’s design featured stack discs of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) separated by a cloth soaked with salty water. Each set of discs represented one cell.

When Alessandro connected a wire to either end of the stack of discs, he created a continuous, stable current. Each cell produced 0.76 Volts (V). Alessandro could multiply the voltage and produce more power by stacking the cells together.

Alessandro’s original battery design (and many designs that came after it) were not rechargeable. When their chemical reactions were complete, they would drain permanently.

The Transition from Early to Modern Batteries

The lead-acid battery, a design still in use today, is the earliest example of a rechargeable battery. French physicist, Gaston Planté, invented this battery type in 1859 after combining two lead sheets rolled into a spiral and separated with rubber strips.

When a reverse current passed through Planté’s battery design, it would recharge. His initial design led to several improvements in the coming decades, including:

• The Leclanché cell, which combined a manganese dioxide cathode, a zinc anode, a porous material, and ammonium chloride
• Zinc-carbon, the first dry-cell battery
• NiCd, the first alkaline battery

NiCd or nickel-cadmium batteries are still in use today for applications like flashlights, emergency lighting, and portable power tools. However, lithium-ion and nickel-metal-hyride batteries are becoming increasingly popular.

How Batteries Work

All batteries follow the same principle, regardless of their type—they store chemical energy and convert it into electrical energy. As chemical reactions occur inside the battery and electrons flow from one material to another, they create an electric current.

Rechargeable batteries, such as A rechargeable batteries, follow the same principle, but with one additional feature—a charger can reverse the flow of electrons and restore energy to the battery.

Looking to the Future of Batteries

The future of batteries looks promising, especially with the rise of electric cars and renewable power sources. We’ve seen plenty of innovation in battery technology over the past few decades, with batteries storing more power and charging faster than ever before—and this trend is likely to continue.

In the coming years, we can expect to provide more power, last longer, and store more energy in a smaller space, leading to more safety, stability, and environmental preservation possibilities.