Edison-Lalande Battery, 1900-1910

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 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

1900-1910

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

29.3022.4361

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Porcelain (Material)
Metal

Color

White (Color)
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 8.5 in
Diameter: 6 in

Inscriptions

stamped on top in black ink: EDISON-LALANDE BATTERY. / PAT. JUNE 17, 1890 / OTHER PATENTS APPLIED FOR
Edison-Lalande Battery, 1900-1910