Volta as volmeter

Alessandro Volta was the first to close the circuit deliberately and thus make an electric current flow continuously. The discovery was seminal: it lies at the root of the science of electricity, revolutionizing all other branches of science and technology. In a letter dated March 20, 1800, the eminent Italian physicist described two variations of what came to be known as the voltaic cell, and dealt with much else besides. The landmark paper is reexamined with a view to reassessing Volta's development of the voltaic cell and elucidating his unique methods of measuring what he thought of as electric fluid (current) and cell strengths (potentials). The two types of cells used by Volta are described and the results and methodology outlined. Insight into Volta's methodology and techniques is discussed in modern terminology.