Alessandro Antonio Volta
Alessandro Antonio Volta Alessandro Antonio Volta (1745–1827), an Italian physicist, invented the electric battery—which provided the first continuous flow of electricity—and the capacitor. Born into a noble family in Como, Italy, Volta was performing electrical experiments at age 18. His invention of the battery in 1796 revolutionized the use of electricity. The publication of his work in 1800 marked the beginning of electric circuit theory. Volta received many honors during his lifetime. The unit of voltage or potential difference, the volt, was named in his honor.