History of Alkaline Batteries Goes a Way Back

Single cell, alkaline batteries first reached world markets in the late 1960’s. Their electrodes were manganese-dioxide and zinc respectively, while their electrolyte was a relatively new innovation. That’s because the latter was not consumed during the reaction, but regenerated instead. However, the history of alkaline batteries began much earlier than we may think.

History of Alkaline Batteries Begins in 1899 But Goes Dormant

Doctor Ernst Waldemar Jungner of Sweden invented the first alkaline battery in 1899. He was searching for reliable battery storage he could upscale. A self-sustaining electrolyte was of particular interest to him. He commercialized the concept for electric vehicles in 1928, although more efficient nickel-cadmium batteries soon replaced that.

Information transmission was slow in the early, golden days of batteries. Thomas Edison developed a similar concept in America in 1901, working independently. Although he later turned his attention to grid supply, and alkaline battery technology largely became dormant for a half century.

Canadian Engineer Lewis Urry Rejuvenates the Concept

Lewis Urry was a Canadian-American chemical engineer and inventor. After he graduated, he joined Eveready battery company. His employer assigned him to work on the zinc-carbon battery, with particular interest in extending the lifespan.

However, his research took him in a different direction, when he discovered that manganese dioxide and solid zinc worked well, when coupled with an alkaline electrolyte. Lewis Urry applied for a patent for a battery with a powdered zinc anode. It was awarded to his employer, Union Carbide Corporation in 1960.

Those events kick-started the further development of the alkaline batteries that became the mainstay for many of our small applications. We continue the history of alkaline batteries in our next post. Here is a picture of the actual battery that Louis Urry invented, courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute.