Alessandra Volta and the First Battery

Europe in the 18^th century was a time filled with new inventions and ideas. People developed new scientific methods, math formulas, architectural designs, and many other amazing things.  Born right into the middle of this time was a child named Alessandra Volta. Volta became one of the leaders of discovery during this time period in Europe.  While he was an important scientist in the field of electricity, he was certainly not the first person to study electricity, as people like Benjamin Franklin preceded him.  Volta's work with electricity inspired other scientists and led to more inventions.  Alessandra Volta was one of many pioneers of the electrical age, and his invention of the electric battery distinguished him as a one of the most prominent and influential scientists of all time.

                        Alessandra Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta was born on February 18, 1745 in the town of Como, Italy (Kline 446).  He went to public schools and studied to become a physicist.  Eventually, he became a physics professor at the Royal School in Como.  Volta’s career started an electrical revolution that began in 1775 with his invention of the electrophorus, an instrument that produced static electricity.  His most famous invention came about twenty five years later. The most important contribution Volta gave to the world of electricity and science is the electric battery.  This first battery is now known as the voltaic pile.  (Alessandra 1)

            To make his battery, Volta used a variety of materials.  He started by placing metal discs of materials like zinc and copper on moist objects like cloth or cardboard.  He used brine or other acidic solutions to moisten the material.  The metals discs were alternated with the moist cloth and he found that the taller the pile, the more electricity was produced.  (Bellis 1)  The battery inspired an invention revolution.  Soon after Volta’s announcement of the battery, many new inventions that used the battery for different purposes began appearing. 

The scientific career of Alessandra Volta made him well-known and a recognized person. Volta was honored with many medals and awards.  Volta’s most remembered distinction is something that remains with us to this very day.  Alessandra Volta had the electrical unit, the “volt”, named in his honor (Kline 446).  This achievement symbolizes all the work and effort Volta put into his studies and is a tribute to his greatness and shows how much influence Volta’s battery had in creating new ideas.  The original battery went through a series of improvements that are still taking place today. The invention of the first battery had an economic and social impact that we are still experiencing today.  Look around today and see how many objects we use every day that run on batteries.  Cars, cell phones, laptop computers, calculators, Ipods, planes, satellites, hearing aids, are just a few of the items we have in our world today that rely on batteries to function.  Just imagine what life would be like without batteries!

Bibliography:

Kline, Ronald R. “Volta, Alessandro.” World Book Encyclopedia. 2011 ed. Print.

Brodd, Ralph J., et al. “Battery.” World Book Encyclopedia. 2011 ed. Print.

“Alessandra Volta.” Ideafinder.com. Web. 19 May 2011. <http://ideafinder.com/history/inventors/volta.htm>

Bellis, Mary. “Battery.” About.com. Web. 19 May 2011. <http://inventors.about.com/od/bstartinventions/a/History-Of-The-Battery.htm>

Schlesinger, Henry. The Battery. New York: Smithsonian Books, 2010. Print.

Curley, Robert, ed. The 100 Most Influential Inventors of All Time. New York: Britannica, 2010. Print.

Pancaldi, Giuliano. Volta: Science and Culture in the Age of Enlightenment. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2003. Print.

DIRECTIONS

1.  Take a copper disk from the supply tray and clip the red lead with the alligator clip to the disk.

2.  Plug the red lead into the red ‘V’ receptacle on the voltmeter.  Plug the black lead into the black receptacle in the voltmeter.

3.  Take a cotton pad from the supply tray.  Squeeze a little lemon juice on the pad until the pad is moist, not soaked.  Place the moist cotton pad on the copper disk.

4.  Now, place an aluminum disk on top of the moist cotton pad.

5.  Take the end of the black lead and touch it to the aluminum disk.

6.  Observe the reading on the voltmeter.

To make a more powerful (higher voltage) battery, attach more of the disks and pads.

1.  Start by placing a second copper disk on top of the aluminum disk.

2.  Then, place another lemon juice pad on top of your second copper disk.

3.  Place a second aluminum disk on top of the second lemon pad.

4.  Each time you add another battery, the voltage should about double. 

5.  Repeat this same pattern if you would like to continue increasing the voltage.