Edison Type S Primary Battery, 1916-1929

01

Artifact Overview

A chemical reaction hidden within this battery's white porcelain jar creates electricity. Thomas Edison developed this battery from an earlier design by Felix Lalande and Georges Chaperon. Batteries like this Type S powered fans, phonographs, telephones, and a variety of other devices for years in places where the electric grid did not reach, or electric generators were impractical.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Battery (Electrical)

Date Made

1916-1929

Creator Notes

Porcelain jar made in Germany, battery manufactured by Thomas A. Edison, Inc., West Orange, New Jersey.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2017.0.34.81

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Porcelain (Material)
Wood (Plant material)
Metal
Paint (Coating)

Color

White (Color)
Black (Color)
Blue

Dimensions

Height: 8 in
Diameter: 5 in

Inscriptions

stamped in blue ink on side: [maker's mark] / GERMANY
Edison Type S Primary Battery, 1916-1929