Last Updated:

2024-05-14 22:46:27

Alessandro Volta

Italian physicist and chemist

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Italian physicist and chemist

Alessandro Volta was a pioneer of electricity, inventor of the electric battery, and discoverer of methane. His voltaic pile invention in 1799 revolutionized the field of electrochemistry. Volta's work was admired by Napoleon Bonaparte, and he held the chair of experimental physics at the University of Pavia for 40 years. The SI unit of electric potential, the volt, is named after him.

Michael Faraday James Watt Thomas Edison Ludwig Boltzmann James Clerk Maxwell Robert Watson-Watt Albert Einstein Joseph Priestley Leonardo da Vinci Nicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot

1745-02-18

Birth of Alessandro Volta

Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the battery, was born on the 18th of February, 1745 in Como, Lombardy, Italy. His birth name was Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta.

1769

Alessandro's Publishing and Studying

In 1769, Alessandro Volta studied electricity and wrote his first paper titled 'De vi attractiva ignis electrici'. He also authored two books in the same year.

1774-01-01

First Invention (Electrophorus)

Alessandro Volta made his first invention, the Electrophorus, on January 1, 1774.

1775

Invention of the electrophorus

In 1775, Count Alessandro Volta invented the electrophorus, a device that could hold an electric charge after being rubbed.

1776

Discovery of Methane

During a visit to Lake Maggiore in 1776, Alessandro Volta noticed the bubbling of gas in water, leading to the discovery of methane, the primary component of marsh gas.

1777

Traveled through Switzerland and befriended H. B. de Saussure

In 1777, Alessandro Volta traveled through Switzerland and formed a friendship with H. B. de Saussure.

1778

Appointment as professor of physics at the University of Pavia

In 1778, Alessandro Volta accepted a post as professor of physics at the University of Pavia. This marked a significant milestone in his career and allowed him to further his research and teaching.

1779

Volta offered chair of natural philosophy at University of Pavia

In 1779, the University of Pavia offered Alessandro Volta the chair of natural philosophy, which he accepted. This marked a significant moment in Volta's career as a scientist.

1780

Debate with Luigi Galvani

Alessandro Volta engaged in a debate with Luigi Galvani regarding the source of electricity observed in dissected frogs' legs. Volta refuted Galvani's theory of 'animal electricity' and believed that the current was generated by the metals used in the experiments.

1782-03-14

Discovery of Sensible Electricity

Alessandro Volta presented a paper at the Royal Society in 1782, detailing the method of rendering very weak natural or artificial electricity highly sensitive. This discovery laid the foundation for the development of the voltaic pile, the first electric battery.

1785

Election as Rector of the University at Pavia

In 1785, Alessandro Volta was elected as the Rector of the University at Pavia. This recognition highlighted his contributions to academia and the field of physics.

1791

Publication of Luigi Galvani's Experiments

In 1791, Luigi Galvani's experiments with 'animal electricity' were published, leading Volta to theorize that animal tissue was not necessary for the conduction of electricity.

1794

Marriage of Alessandro Volta

In 1794, Alessandro Volta married and would go on to have three sons. This personal milestone occurred amidst his continued work and achievements in the field of electricity.

1797-01-01

Frog Experiment

In 1797, Alessandro Volta conducted an experiment with a dissected frog's leg to demonstrate that the twitching was caused by a connection between two metals touching the frog's leg, not by the frog producing its own electricity. This led to the development of the Voltaic Pile in 1800.

1799

Volta's Electrical Battery Invention

In 1799, Alessandro Volta invented the electrical battery, a significant milestone in the history of science and technology.

1800-01-01

Invention of the first Battery (The Voltaic Pile)

In 1800, Alessandro Volta invented the voltaic pile, the first wet cell battery that produced a continuous flow of electricity. The voltaic pile consisted of alternating zinc and copper discs separated by cardboard soaked in salt water.

1800-03-20

Invention of the Electric Battery by Alessandro Volta

Alessandro Volta invented the first electric pile, known as the voltaic pile, in 1800. This invention was a breakthrough in providing a continuous source of current electricity, leading to the development of modern batteries.

1801

Volta demonstrates the voltaic pile in Paris

In 1801, Alessandro Volta was invited to Paris to demonstrate his voltaic pile to prominent French scientists and Napoléon. His demonstration impressed Napoléon, who bestowed many honors on Volta.

1805

Napoleon grants Volta a pension and appoints him Cavalier of the Legion of Honor

In 1805, Napoleon was impressed by Volta's work and granted him a pension. He also appointed Volta as Cavalier of the Legion of Honor.

1810

Count Title by Napoleon Bonaparte

In 1810, Napoleon Bonaparte granted Alessandro Volta the title of Count in recognition of his work.

1815

Volta appointed as director of the philosophical faculty at the University of Padua

In 1815, Volta was appointed as the director of the philosophical faculty at the University of Padua by the emperor of Austria. This position marked a significant recognition of his contributions to science and academia.

1816

Volta's works published in five volumes in Florence

In 1816, Volta's works were published in five volumes in Florence, showcasing his significant contributions.

1818-01-01

Volta Returns Home

In 1818, Alessandro Volta returned to his home in Como, Italy after retiring.

1819

Retirement of Alessandro Volta

Alessandro Volta retired in 1819 and moved to his estate in Camnago, Italy, where he spent the rest of his life until his death in 1827.

1827-03-05

Death of Alessandro Volta

Alessandro Volta passed away on March 5, 1827, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking contributions to the field of electricity. His work continues to influence modern science and technology.

1881

Naming of the Volt after Alessandro Volta

In 1881, the unit of electrical measurement known as the volt was named after Alessandro Volta in honor and memory of his contributions to the field of electricity.

2017

Nvidia announces Volta microarchitecture

In late 2017, Nvidia introduced a new GPU microarchitecture named Volta, specifically designed for workstations.

2019

Electrophorus voltai named after Volta

In 2019, a new electric eel species called Electrophorus voltai, known as the strongest bioelectricity producer in nature, was named in honor of Volta.

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Alessandro Volta