We all know that “V” stands for “Volt.” But did you know the word “Volt” comes from the inventor of the battery, Alessandro Volta?
Here’s the story… In Europe at the end of the 18th century, power generation was a secret technique, even magic. For example, at the carnival, artists used static generators to create magical performances. However, it is the breakthrough made by Alessandro Volta that really brought mankind into the era of electricity. The inventor and scientist developed the first device in human history that can generate a continuous current for a long time.
In 1799, Alessandro Volta discovered that metal is a power source and developed a voltaic stack based on this discovery. The device is composed of stacked zinc and copper sheets, with cardboard soaked in salt water between them. When the number of zinc blocks, copper blocks, and cardboard was sequentially increased, a significantly increased current was generated. This is what later generations call the voltaic stack or voltaic battery.
In 1800, Volta recorded its production method and process in detail and shared it with everyone. Napoleon was so interested when he heard about it that he invited Volta to meet him and explain his invention. The excited Napoleon ordered French scholars to set up a special committee on the spot to conduct large-scale related experiments, and awarded 6,000 francs of bonuses and medals to Volta. Later on, the International Organization for Standardization has set the unit of electromotive force and potential difference as “Volt”, or “V” for short.
