Volta, Alessandro, Count (1745-1827)

Volta was the Italian physicist which will always be remembered by the label "volt," one applied to describe a unit of electric pressure. It was Volta who developed the theory of current electricity; further, that water might be decomposed through the application of electricity. He invented the first practical battery using cells made from two kinds of metals; this verified his theory of differing electrical potentials for unlike metals.

See also: Volt.