Carl Gassner
The Leclanche cell was quite heavy and prone
to breakage, but steadily improved over the years. The idea of encapsulating
both the negative electrode and porous pot into a zinc cup was first patented
by J.A. Thiebaut in 1881. But, it was Carl Gassner of Mainz who is credited
as constructing the first commercially successful "dry" cell.
Variations followed.
Carl Gassner patented the first "dry"
cell in 1887 with zinc as the container for the other elements as well as
for the negative electrode. The electrolyte was absorbed in a porous material
and the cell was sealed across the top. This cell was easy to handle and
portable. It became the prototype for the dry battery industry.
By 1889 there were at least six well-known dry batteries in circulation.
Later battery manufacturing produced smaller, lighter batteries, and the
application of the tungsten filament in 1909 created the impetus to develop
batteries for use in torches.