Voltaic pile
Datecirca 1816
Inventory NumberDW0348
ClassificationVoltaic Pile
Subject
Maker
American
?
Cultural Region
Dimensions40 x 13 x 17.5 cm (15 3/4 x 5 1/8 x 6 7/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionIn the shape of a small cylindrical tower, this Voltaic pile is supported by a wooden base on which is attached three glass rods. A removable wooden cap keeps the rods together. In between the rods are sequences of metallic disks and cloth material. The first and last disks have electrical connectors to conduct the electricity produced by the pile. The metallic disks are zinc (upper ones) and copper (bottom ones), and between them is the cloth material that would have been soaked into an electrolyte to start the chemical process. Corrosion can be detected on the pile, which indicates it had been put to use.
In Collection(s)
Signedunsigned
FunctionThe Voltaic pile is the first modern electric battery, invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800. It produces a continuous and stable electric current.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Alain Brieux, Paris, March 8, 1968 (lot 30/17). Donated to CHSI 1985.
AO Instrument Company, Warner Chilcott Laboratories
Date: circa 1965
Accessories: Instruction manual (in instrument file); two plain face plates for the drop counting unit and two aluminum rods.,
Object number: 1996-1-0465
American
Date: mid 19th-mid 20th Century
Object number: 1998-1-1586
J. Duboscq-Soleil
Date: 1850
Object number: 2008-1-0098
Reynolds Metal Company
Date: circa 1944
Accessories: see Description for itemized list
Object number: 1997-1-0796a