For more than 100 years, Energizer—through continuous invention and innovation—has played a vital role in how people live, work and communicate.

Energizer through the years

Energizer's history goes all the way back to 1886, when former Brush Electric Company executive W. H. Lawrence formed the National Carbon Company (NCC), the present-day Energizer. In 1896, Energizer marketed the very first battery for consumer use—"The Columbia," six inches tall and used to power home telephones.

Two years later in New York City, a Russian immigrant named Conrad Hubert founded the American Electrical Novelty and Manufacturing Company (AENMC) to market battery powered novelties. Hubert filed two patents in 1899 for his "Electric Hand Torch," a dry cell battery within a paper tube, with a bulb inside a rough brass reflector on one end of the tube—the building blocks for the world's first flashlight.

In 1905, AENMC changed its name to American Ever Ready, focusing on the dependability of its flashlight products. American Ever Ready became part of the National Carbon Company in 1914, forming the only manufacturer specializing in both batteries and lighting products.

The National Carbon Company merged with Union Carbide Company in 1917, and began expanding across the United States and into Canada and Mexico. Over the next 32 years, Union Carbide became known as the only full-line supplier of flashlights and batteries of all sizes. As Union Carbide expanded, the "Eveready" brand name became associated with the reliable power and performance needed to keep up with the rapid development of battery-powered devices.

In time, the company re-branded its products, introducing Energizer batteries and flashlights.

The Eveready Battery Company/Energizer introduced the first 9-volt battery (1956); the first batteries for use in transistor radios and rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries (1958); the first standard alkaline battery (1959); the first silver oxide button cell for use in miniature hearing aids and watches (1960); and developed lithium battery technology (1963).

In 1959, Energizer revolutionized the battery industry, introducing alkaline battery technology, a giant step toward longer battery life in portable, battery-powered devices. Energizer continued its industry leadership in the following years through innovative improvements to its alkaline battery.

In 1986, Ralston Purina, Co., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, purchased the Eveready Battery Company, the holding company of Energizer brand batteries and flashlights.

Energizer today

In 1990, Energizer became the first battery maker to eliminate adding mercury to its batteries, making Energizer alkaline batteries safer for the environment.

Energizer introduced the world's first AA size lithium battery in 1992.

In 1995, Energizer became the first battery manufacturer to feature an on-battery tester, allowing consumers to quickly check battery power directly on the cell.

Energizer^® e²™ batteries, powered by titanium, debuted in 2000. Energizer^® e²™ takes power to the next level, providing consumers with long-lasting power for their critical devices.

And in 2001, the Energizer^® EZChange™, a new dispenser for hearing aid batteries, makes maintaining hearing aids easy and convenient.

Energizer spun off from the Ralston Purina, Co. in April 2000, becoming an independent company. Energizer continues to provide consumers with innovative, high-quality and technologically advanced batteries and flashlights, including Energizer^® brand batteries, Eveready^® brand batteries, Energizer^® e²™ batteries, Energizer^® e²™ Photo lithium batteries, miniature battery line, rechargeable batteries, and lighting products.

With global headquarters in St. Louis and over 10,000 Associates in 140 countries, Energizer stands as the world's largest manufacturer of batteries and flashlights, dedicated to predicting and meeting the needs of the consumer.