Happy Birthday Alessandro Volta!

Today is the 270th birthday of Alessandro Volta (no he isn't still living, he died aged 82, otherwise he would probably be more famous for that!).

You might not necessarily have heard of him, but looking back he was certainly a very influential figure in the 18th and 19th centuries. And his surname gives a big clue regarding his work.

The Italian scientist invented the first type of battery, able to supply a reliable and steady flow of electricity. Weirdly enough, it was when he and another recognised name, Luigi Galvani (think galvanise), were working with a frog that they discovered the idea of "animal electricity".

This led to Volta inventing the voltaic pile - an electrical battery - at the end of the 1700s, which would power a huge amount of industry well into the late 19th century.

His revelation and invention was the catalyst for a number of others, and was an essential element in the Industrial Revolution.

So a big thank you and happy birthday to Alessandro Volta!