# How the Modern Alkaline Battery Was Invented

> A 1957 patent from Union Carbide that defined the construction of the long-lasting alkaline battery, replacing older zinc-carbon designs.

- **Patent:** US 2960558
- **Original title:** Dry cell
- **Owner:** Union Carbide Corp
- **Granted:** 1960
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 25
- **Field:** energy, consumer_electronics

## What it does

This patent describes a specific chemical and physical structure for a dry cell battery. It focuses on the arrangement of the anode and cathode materials to improve energy density and shelf life. By using a specific electrolyte and separator configuration, it allows the battery to maintain a steady voltage over a longer period compared to the older Leclanche cells that were standard at the time.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover lithium-ion or other rechargeable battery chemistries.
- Does not cover the internal circuitry of the devices the battery powers.
- Does not cover button-cell batteries with different structural sealing methods.

## The clever bit

The innovation was in the structural geometry of the cell, which allowed for a much larger surface area of the active materials, significantly reducing internal resistance.

## Real-world examples

1. Standard AA and AAA alkaline batteries
2. Eveready Energizer batteries

## Why it matters

This invention was the foundation for the Eveready Energizer brand. It moved the world away from unreliable, short-lived batteries toward the high-performance alkaline cells that powered the portable electronics boom of the 1970s and 80s.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How the Modern Alkaline Battery Was Invented cover?

A 1957 patent from Union Carbide that defined the construction of the long-lasting alkaline battery, replacing older zinc-carbon designs.

### Who owns patent US 2960558?

Union Carbide Corp owns this patent, granted in 1960.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.

### What is patent US 2960558 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 25 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This invention was the foundation for the Eveready Energizer brand. It moved the world away from unreliable, short-lived batteries toward the high-performance alkaline cells that powered the portable electronics boom of the 1970s and 80s.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover lithium-ion or other rechargeable battery chemistries.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2960558/alkaline-battery-dry-cell

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US2960558

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._


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