No one knows where the Energizer bunny is going, but the rabbit did march out of Cleveland. In 1955, Union Carbide’s Nation Carbon Co. skipped Ontario-native Lewis Urry across Lake Erie to work at Cleveland’s Eveready research lab. Rather than improve the brand’s inferior zinc-carbon batteries, Urry experimented with alkaline, manganese dioxide and powdered zinc. In 1957, the lab’s cafeteria came alive as Urry raced one electric car with a zinc-carbon battery against his new invention. Team zinc-carbon lurched a few feet, while team alkaline snagged the checkered flag. Urry received his patent in 1959 and they were on shelves by then, if not earlier.
Why It Matters: Long-lasting and dependable, alkaline batteries are also used in the medical, industrial and defense fields.
Cleveland Inventions: Lewis Urry's Contribution to Battery Science
No need to be negative, one Clevelander's positive impact on the alkaline battery has made sure that everyone has all the power they need.
