An invenstion which has descendants in every home in Britain, in mobile phones, cars, computers, cameras and CD-players, to name just a few is the voltaic pile - the first battery. Created in 1800, by Alessandro Volta, the voltaic pile is made up of alternating disks of zinc and silver (or copper), separated by disks of cloth soaked in brine. A stack of these disks yields a continuous current.

The device was so impressive that Napoleon is reported to have sent for Volta to demonstrate it.

Volta was born in 1745 in Italy, and his passion for science led him to become a professor at Pavia University. He created several inventions, including the electrophorus, but the battery was his most notable invention.

He was intrigued by the experiments Luigi Galvani was doing with frogs’

legs. Volta discovered that it was the application of two different metals to a frog’s leg that caused it to twitch. He tested different combinations of metals by using his tongue to detect the current. He soon applied this to create the voltaic pile, which he spent much of his life demonstrating to others.

You can create your own version of Volta’s pile by using money. The pile is made up of alternating 2p and 10p pieces, separated by rings of blotting paper that have been soaked in salty water.

Build a stack of about 30 coins, then measure the voltage. Experiment by adding extra layers or by using different metals. Find out which combination creates the largest voltage.

Sophie Duncan is a physicist and programme manager for Planet Science (formerly Science Year) www.planetscience.com