Alessandro Volta

18 February 1745 – 5 March 1827

Alessandro Volta was an Italian physicist and chemist who invented the voltaic pile in 1799, the first electrical battery and the first source of continuous electric current. The SI unit of electric potential, the volt, is named in his honour.

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Life events

Born in Como, Lombardy
18 February 1745

Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta was born into a noble family in Como, then part of the Duchy of Milan.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Became professor of physics at the Royal School in Como
1774

Volta was appointed professor of experimental physics at the Royal School of Como, where he pursued research on electricity.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Invented an improved electrophorus
1775

Volta popularized and improved the electrophorus, a device for generating static electricity, which brought him wide recognition.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Discovered and isolated methane
1776 – 1778

After finding 'flammable air' in the marshes of Lake Maggiore, Volta isolated methane and studied its combustion.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed professor of experimental physics at the University of Pavia
1779

Volta took the chair of experimental physics at Pavia, a post he held for almost forty years.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Teresa Peregrini
1794

Volta married Teresa Peregrini of Como, with whom he had three sons.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Invented the voltaic pile, the first electric battery
1799

Disputing Galvani's theory of animal electricity, Volta stacked discs of zinc and copper separated by brine-soaked cloth to create the first source of continuous electric current, announcing it to the Royal Society in 1800.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Demonstrated the battery before Napoleon in Paris
1801

Volta demonstrated his pile at the Institut de France before Napoleon Bonaparte, who awarded him a gold medal and later made him a count.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Retired to his estate near Como
1819

Volta retired from teaching and public life, spending his final years at his country home in Camnago near Como.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Como
5 March 1827

Volta died at the age of 82; the unit of electric potential was named the volt in his honour in 1881.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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