THINKS IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BATTERIES
POSTED BY DAN YOUNG
Look around. Batteries are everywhere. Even though they touch every aspect of our lives, we rarely think about them until they run down or, like in the case of the iPhone 4S, fail to last as long as we need. But, when you stop and think about them, the technology and the story behind the battery is really quite cool.
Batteries have been a part of our daily lives for quite some time. They are largely responsible for the scientific achievements that have made all our modern toys possible. The story begins in 1800, where the concept of the modern battery was born.
During the industrial revolution, people figured out a reliable way of harnessing electricity through various chemical reactions. A few years later, as the technology was perfected, the battery became an instrumental part of a new communications technology that would change the world: the telegraph.
Batteries and communications technologies have been intrinsically interconnected ever since.
Henry Schlesinger wrote a terrific book on how battery technology powered the technology revolution of the past 200 years. The book’s title says it all: “The Battery.” He lays out a great historical story of the technology and its impact on our daily lives.
If you're looking for a good read, I strongly recommend the book. When you're done, you will look at the gadgets that surround all of us in a totally different way.
