Alkaline batteries have become part of our lives, because they are reliable and inexpensive. No wonder 80% of U.S.-manufactured batteries are alkaline, and the world produces ten billion individual units annually. Today, we decided to delve into the history of the alkaline battery. Who first thought of them? Who invented the miniature powerhouses in our CD players, digital cameras, lights, MP3 players, pagers, radios, and toys?
The History of the Alkaline Battery is Controversial
We uncovered a trail of two legendary alkaline battery inventors. Swedish engineer Waldemar Jungner developed a rechargeable alkaline silver-cadmium battery in 1899.
He also built the first nickel-iron electric storage batteries, and nickel-cadmium cells. He was an inventive fellow with many other credits too.
However, the history of the alkaline battery is not that simple. In parallel, and quite innocently America’s Thomas Edison invented an alkaline battery in 1901. There was no question of plagiarism. The two men lived in countries far distant from each other, and there were no fast internet or jet planes back then.
Then Alkaline Technology Waited for Demand to Catch Up
Things went quiet for half a century because there was little need for the new technology. In the 1950’s Americans began looking for long-life batteries for their torches. And more reliable power for their new-fangled transistor radios.
The history of the alkaline battery accelerated in the 1950’s. Canadian engineer Lewis Urry invented a zinc-manganese dioxide battery while working for Union Carbide’s Eveready Battery division in Cleveland, Ohio. He and two colleagues filed a patent that went to Union Carbide Corporation. Because they were working for the company at the time.
Modern alkaline batteries still have zinc negative electrodes, and manganese dioxide positive ones. The performance of the cylindrical cells depends on the energy demand of the appliance. Hence we should best use them in compatible, low demand devices.
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Ernst Waldemar Jungner and his Portable Batteries
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