In mid-February, a holiday is celebrated dedicated to one of the discoveries made in the field of physics and chemistry more than 200 years ago, but the fruits of which are used by every person today. This is Battery Day.
On February 18, 1745, the Italian physicist, one of the founders of the doctrine of electricity, chemist and physiologist Alessandro Volta was born. His name has firmly entered the world of science and has become the name of the unit of measurement of electrical voltage – volts. Part of his experiments and discoveries was his work on the world's first galvanic cell, called the Voltaic Pillar. In fact, this discovery and invention became the prototype of modern batteries.
This discovery, based on the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy by placing two dissimilar metals (copper and zinc plates) into acid, was made by a scientist in 1800.
Over time, the invention of the Italian physicist became widespread. Today, batteries and accumulators play a very prominent role in human life. This became the reason for the establishment of a holiday called Battery Day, celebrated annually on February 18, Volta’s birthday.
The holiday is unofficial, but has spread throughout the world and is celebrated in many countries. Scientific conferences, exhibitions, and lectures are timed to coincide with this day. There is no information about who celebrated this date for the first time and when.
Participants in events dedicated to the holiday remind us of the role batteries and accumulators play in our lives today – are the most affordable power sources that allow us to enjoy many of the benefits of life without being tied to the power grid. Smartphones, wristwatches, alarm clocks, lamps, portable speakers, laptops, computer mice and keyboards, robot vacuum cleaners, flashlights – this list goes on for a long time.
What about car enthusiasts? How often and how many of them think about the fact that without a battery, their car would have to be started every time using a starting handle, which few people remember today, and most do not even imagine what it is. It’s hard to imagine a fragile modern girl rotating a «crooked starter», as the starting handle was colloquially called. And in winter?
Electric motors that use batteries as power are also becoming increasingly widespread. Scientists continue to work on their capacity, resource, environmental friendliness and charging speed, and safety.
Participants in the festive events do not forget about the environmental side of the issue related to the competent disposal of batteries and accumulators, paying special attention to it.
Postcard «February 18 — Battery Day» Story «They were brought together... batteries»