1798
Volta Builds First Battery
Italian physicist Count Alessandro Volta builds his first “voltaic pile.” The crude battery consists of a stack of paired copper zinc disks separated from one another by cardboard disks moistened with salt or acid solution.
1836
Improving the Design
John F. Daniell, an English chemist, improves the efficiency of Volta’s design by developing a way to avoid the corrosion problems of Volta batteries.
1868
French chemist Georges Leclanche designs a
“wet” cell, the forerunner of the “dry” cell, or flashlight battery.
1888
First “Dry” Cell
German scientist Dr. Carl Gassner invents the “dry” cell, a cell much like today’s carbon-zinc batteries.
1896
First Battery For Sale
Columbia, a carbon-zinc battery manufactured by National Carbon Company, becomes the first commercially available battery sold in the U.S. The National Carbon Company later becomes Eveready Battery Company – known today as Energizer.
1898
Hubert Invents “Electric Hand Touch”
Conrad Hubert, known as the founder of the Eveready Battery Company, invents the “electric hand torch,” or flashlight – a dry cell battery, bulb and rough brass reflector inside a paper tube.
Size D batteries debut.
1956
First 9-Volt Battery Debuts
Energizer produces the first 9-volt battery, commonly used in smoke detectors today.
1959
Alkaline Technology Introduced
Energizer develops the first commercially viable alkaline batteries, revolutionizing portable power. You can see the first prototype alkaline cell, hand-built by Energizer scientist Lew Urry, at the Smithsonian National Museum of History.
1960
Silver Oxide Miniatures Debut
Energizer produces the first silver oxide system miniature batteries for use in the hearing aids and watches.
The first nickel cadmium rechargeable battery system is introduced.
1980
Energizer® brand is introduced.
1989
Energizer Leads in Eliminating Mercury
Energizer leads the industry in environmental initiatives to eliminate added mercury in batteries.
1992
Energizer Debuts Most Powerful AA Battery
Energizer introduces the world’s first AA lithium battery - the world’s most powerful AA battery.
1995
Energizer Debuts On-Battery Tester
Energizer introduces first on-battery tester.
1997
Energizer Introduces High-Rate Battery
Energizer introduces batteries designed specially for use in high-tech devices, such as digital cameras, portable phones and cell phones.
2000
Energizer® e2™ Harness Titanium Power
Energizer debuts Energizer® e2™ batteries, featuring enhanced cell design and advanced titanium technology to deliver exceptional power and dependability.
