Battery, known as Leclanche cell

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The Leclanche cell was a cheap efficient battery devised in 1867 by Georges Leclanche (1839-1882). This example was made around 1900 by Baird and Tatlock of Glasgow.

The battery consists of a porous pot filled with powdered carbon and manganese dioxide. The pot sat in a glass jar filled with ammonium chloride solution. A carbon rod dipping into the powder acted as the anode (positive), and a zinc rod dipping into the solution acted as the cathode.

Current electricity is produced when two metals are combined with moisture. Many attempts were made during the 19th century to produce an electric battery that was compact, durable and safe. The Leclanche cell was still being offered for sale by chemical suppliers well into the 20th century.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-727-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1902.41
• Date: Around 1900
  c. 1900
  
• Material: Cell, Leclanche
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Cell, Leclanche
  
• Subject: 22. PHYSICS, Magnetism and Electricity (Departmental Classification)
  8. ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Galvanic (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Baird and Tatlock, Glasgow and Edinburgh (Maker)
  Leclanche (Eponym)
  
• Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: Leclanche cell by Baird and Tatlock, Glasgow, c. 1900
  
• References:
  • Baird & Tatlock (London) Ltd, Physics & Technology, London 1924 [trade catalogue], p.430. 
  • For an overview of current electricity, see G.L'E. Turner, Nineteenth Century Scientific Instruments. London, 1983, esp. ch. 11, 'Electricity', pp 198-202.. 
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