Tech History Made on March 20, 1800

On this day in 1800 it was announced that the first wet-cell battery had been produced. Alessandro Volta had postulated that electricity was made when metals and moisture were introduced. He made a stack of copper and zinc discs with salt water soaked cardboard between each layer. The cell produced a steady current. News spread quick of his accomplishment and Emperor Napoleon of France was impressed. Volta was named a knight, then a senator and then Count Volta. If you hadn't already figured it out the unit of measure Volt was named after Count Volta.