The invention of batteries was a gradual process driven by curiosity about electricity and chemical reactions. Here's a quick overview of how scientists developed the first batteries:

1. Static Electricity & Early Discoveries (1600s–1700s)

William Gilbert (1600): First used the term "electricus" while studying static electricity.

Benjamin Franklin (1750s): Coined terms like positive and negative charge and experimented with electricity using Leyden jars (early capacitors).

2. Luigi Galvani (1780s):

He discovered that frog legs twitched when touched by two different metals. He believed animals produced electricity — a concept called animal electricity.

3. Alessandro Volta (1800):

Volta disagreed with Galvani. He demonstrated that electricity could be generated chemically — not just by animals.

Invention:

He created the first true battery, the Voltaic Pile, by stacking alternating layers of:

Zinc (Zn)

Copper (Cu)

Soaked cloth or cardboard in saltwater or acid (electrolyte)

This produced a steady electric current — the first continuous source of electricity.

4. Improvements and Modern Development

John Daniell (1836): Invented the Daniell cell, a more stable battery using copper and zinc in different solutions.

Gaston Planté (1859): Created the first rechargeable lead-acid battery.

20th Century Onward: Development of dry cells, alkaline batteries, lithium-ion, and other modern batteries.

Summary:

Scientists discovered batteries by experimenting with metals and electrolytes to create chemical reactions that generate electricity. Volta’s voltaic pile in 1800 marked the official invention of the battery, laying the foundation of all portable power