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Alessandro Volta was born
Alessandro Volta was born in the town of Como in northern Italy. -
Volta talks
Volta did not talk until he was 4 years old. -
Volta's career choice
In 1759 while at 14 years of age, Volta decided to become a physicist. -
Volta's Studies
At the age of 24 Alessandro Volta began to study electricity and published two books of his ideas. -
Appointed director
At the age of 29, Volta was appointed director of the royal school of como. -
Professor Volta
Volta became professor of physics -
Swamp gas
While Volta was visiting local swamps, he observed a mystery gas then known as swamp gas. This gas was used back then to light gas lanterns. He then became the first person to isolate methane from the swamp gas. -
New appointment as professor of physics
During the next few years, Volta became well known in scientific circles and in 1779 he was appointed professor of physics at the university of Pavia. He held this position for the next 25 years. -
Luigi Galvani
A man named Luigi Galvani had predicted animals had their own electricity by observing that a frogs leg hanging on a brass hook twiched when touched with a scapel. He called this animal electricity. -
Volta tells Galvani he is wrong
Volta told Galvini that his prediction was incorrect and the two argued -
Volta explains
Volta finally realised what had happened when the frogs leg twitched. He thought that the twitching was caused by a connection between the two metals. He demonstated this by using a coin and some foil placed on the tongue. -
The first battery
Volta soon after invented the first battery in 1800 and demonstrated that he could form an electric current with different metals and wires. -
Napoleon and Alessandro
Volta demonstrated his knowledge of electricity and his battery to the French Academy of Science and was made the Count of Lombardy by Napoleon Bonapatre. -
Volta retires
Volta then retired to his family home in Como. -
Volta dies
Volta dies in his home town of Como.