Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), studies electrical phenomena since a boy, and particularly phenomena associated with electricity generated by friction. After four years as a physics teacher at a grammar school and as deputy director of the Como public school, Volta is appointed professor of experimental physics at the University of Pavia, where he researches on electricity, magnetism, heat, pneumatics, acoustics, meteorology, and optics. As director of the physics cabinet, from 1778-1819 Volta is responsible for inventing numerous instruments, for example, the electrophorus (1775) and the voltaic pile (1799) - the electric battery. The voltaic pile becomes the most useful source of electricity as it guarantees a continuously flowing electric current. Seventy years after Volta’s death, the unit of electromotive force is named in his honor: the Volt.

Le Opere di Alessandro Volta