Alessandro Volta   1745—1827   Italian physicist known for development of electric battery   Born and educated in Como, Italy   In 1775 invented the electrophorus a device that produced a static electricity charge   In 1776-77 he studied the chemistry of gases discovered methane performed experiments on combustion of gases   In 1800 he developed the voltaic pile an early version of the electric battery   Produced electricity with zinc and silver metal electrodes were dipped in brine to produce a steady electric current   Napoleon made him a count in 1810   Emperor of Austria named him professor of philosophy at Padua in 1815   Tempio Voltiano near Lake Como is a museum dedicated to his life and work   The volt a unit of electricity was named in his honor

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