Batteries: Types and History
A Condensed History of Batteries by the Edison Tech Center
An Exide nickel iron battery from 1934 (wet cell)
A battery is an electrochemical device which converts chemical process into electric energy. It is self contained unlike a fuel cell. It uses an electrochemical cell or cells. A cell is built using electrodes (a rod for example) separated from another electrode of a different metal or carbon with an electrolyte in between. With the right materials one can create a built up charge on one electrode, in other words negatively charged ions are attracted to the cathode (-), meanwhile positively charged ions are attracted to the anode(+) (the other electrode).
Major Types of Batteries and Years of Invention:
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Early History of Batteries:
The first battery 248 BC: The Bagdad Battery was built in the Parthian or Sassanid period ~248 BC - 226 AD. The battery consisted of a carbon rod in the center of a clay vase. The rod was surrounded by an unknown electrolyte (likely to be orange/lemon juice), then copper, then asphaltum. Each battery had a weight of about 2 kilograms and produced 0.4-0.5 volts with open contacts. These batteries were very weak. The "Bagdad Battery" was found in 1936 and is believed to be authentic by many reputable sources. We at the Edison Tech Center would like to see more world-wide effort put into investigating/verifying this important piece of history.
The Egyptians: Some claim that the ancient Egyptians had batteries similar to the Bagdad Battery.
The Ark of the Covenant: It has been theorized that the Ark of the Covenant (a gold lined box) may have used early batteries to energize the gold exterior. The box would then be able to give the illusion of magic powers by shocking those who touched it. This is only a theory, but an interesting use of electricity to create a sense of awe and fear.Alessandro Volta of Como, Italy created the first modern battery in 1800. He had a background of chemistry and physics and taught at the Public School and later the Royal School in Como. He used a zinc and copper electrode with an electrolyte of sulphuric acid or a brine mixture (salt and water). The zinc reacted with the negatively charged sulfate. The positively charged hydrogen ions grab electrons from the copper forming hydrogen gas. The zinc rod then became the negative electrode and the copper rod positive. Volta's first battery was a result of 9 years of study starting with "animal electricity" or the study of electrical current within the body.
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For continued learning we recommend wikipedia. Watch the videos below to get a more interactive experience.
Testing Lithium Batteries in Dr. Andy Burke's Lab: Three Types of Li Batteries
Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries:
History of the GE battery business by Dr. Oliver Winn (former manager):
Below: The Baker Electric Car used Edison lead-acid batteries in 1901
We will expand this page over time.
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Sources:Video and photos and graphics by the Edison Tech Center
Research: Rick Delair, M.Whelan,
Wikipedia Batteries
Lead Acid Batteries, Electropaedia,
Andrew Burke - UC DavisPhoto/Video use:
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