Aug 05, 2020 Pageview:746
Batteries are so ubiquitous in today's time that they are almost invisible and hidden to us. Batteries are available in a comprehensive and extensive variety of types. Batteries generally consist of two or more voltaic cells connected in series to provide a stable and balanced DC voltage at the output terminals of the batteries.
A battery or cell is a device that transforms and changes chemical energy into electrical energy. The cell is the fundamental and the basic unit of the battery. A simple cell consists of 2 electrodes placed in a container that holds the electrolyte. A battery's voltage output and the current rating are regulated by the elements used for the wires, the size of the electrodes, and the type of electrode used. The batteries are usually measured based on size, weight, voltage, re-usability, etc.
When batteries were invented, the use of cells is increasing rapidly as they are used in a variety of devices like gadgets, remote control toys, electronic appliances etc. If you want to know about the history of batteries, then you are in the right place. This guide will help you to explore all about the history of cells.
When was the first battery invented
Just imagine a world without batteries. How different that world would be with telephones and all other electronic devices designed differently. Cells have come a long way since their invention. In almost all the electronic devices, the batteries are used, which are practically hidden somewhere. Yet they are a remarkable invention with a long, storied history and an existing and bright future.
Benjamin Franklin, an American scientist and inventor, first used the word "Battery" in 1749 when he was doing the experiments with electricity using a set of connected capacitors.
Alessandro Volta- an Italian Physicist originated and invented the first real battery in 1800. While developing the batteries, Volta piled up the discs of copper and zinc separated by a cloth soaked and dipped in salty water. The wires which were connected to either end of the Pile produced and generated a continuous flow of current. Each of the cells being a set of Copper, Zinc, and Brine, produces 0.76 Volts. When the more number of cells are assembled, the multiple of this value is generated.
At the time of the invention of the battery in 1800, Volta discovered that certain fluids would produce a stable flow of electric current when used as a conductor. And this discovery led to the invention of the first Voltaic cell that came to be known as a voltaic pile, which is now commonly known as battery.
When did the batteries become popular
Batteries have been a primary source of electricity since it was invented. Many of our scientists and engineers have been working on the development of cells from the 19th century. There has been a breakthrough in the journey of evolution of batteries that could suffice the need of people. There have been many successive improvements in the battery technology that have helped advance the major electrical devices like the rise of telegraphs and telephones, eventually leading to mobile phones and other electrical devices.
The Columbia Dry Cell Battery was discovered by the National Carbon Company (NCC), the Energizer Battery Company's corporate predecessor. This Columbia Dry Cell Battery became popular by 1898, and these were the first commercially available batteries that were sold in the United States.
Before the invention of Columbia Dry Cell Battery, several other batteries were also invented. Due to their shortcomings and drawbacks, those batteries were not capable of gaining that much popularity. After gaining popularity in 1898, the use of batteries increased rapidly, and various batteries were invented later on like the popular Dry Cell, Clark Cell, Atomic Battery, Bunsen Cells, etc.
How big was the first battery
Voltaic Pile was the first electric battery, which was invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800. Volta's disagreement with Luigi Galvani served as the basis for the invention of Voltaic Pile. Volta experimented with many metals during the process of inventing the batteries, but lastly, he used the combination of Copper and Zinc to build the Pile.
Voltaic Pile was built of various individual cells, each of which contains a disk of zinc and a disc of copper separated by a disc of cloth or felt spacers immersed in brine or acid. The first true electric battery- Voltaic Pile was a 23 cell pile in size that was capable of producing around 36 volts of power. The height at which the layers could be piled up and stacked was limited to a specific level, the reason being that the weight of the Pile would squeeze out the brine or acid from the cloth or pasteboard.
Talking about the measurements of Voltaic Pile- the first electric battery, it was about 232 mm in height, 102mm in width, and 102mm in diameter.
Though there were many shortcomings of Volta's invention, but despite these shortcomings, Volta is known to be the SI unit of electromotive force in honor of Volta's achievement.
Last Few Words
This was all about the history of batteries, which includes the year in which the batteries were invented, the size of the battery first introduced, and many more. Batteries have been around all of us for longer than you may think. Batteries are found in every electronic device that can be imagined. These batteries come in various kinds like Alkaline Battery, Nickel Cadmium Battery, Nickel Metal Hydride Battery, li-ion battery, Li-Po Battery, etc. All these batteries must be disposed of eventually to avoid any hazardous damage that can be caused because of its reactive properties and toxic contents. One should always be careful while handling the batteries.
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