and that as most metals were unaffected by
alkaline solutions, he was going to experiment in that direction. The
soundness of his reasoning is amply justified by the perfection of
results obtained in the new type of storage battery bearing his name,
and now to be described.

The essential technical details of this battery are fully described
in an article written by one of Edison's laboratory staff, Walter
E. Holland, who for many years has been closely identified with the
inventor's work on this cell The article was published in the Electrical
World, New York, April 28, 1910; and the following extracts therefrom
will afford an intelligent comprehension of this invention:

"The 'A' type Edison cell is the outcome of nine years of costly
experimentation and persistent toil on the part of its inventor and his
associates....

"The Edison invention involves the use of an entirely new
voltaic combination in an alkaline electrolyte, in place of the
lead-lead-peroxide combination and acid electrolyte, characteristic of
all other commercial storage batteries. Experience has proven that
this not only secures durability and greater output per unit-weight of
battery, but in addition there is eliminated a long list of troubles and
diseases inherent in the lead-acid combination....

"The principle on which the action of this new battery is based is
the oxidation and reduction of metals in an electrolyte which does not
combine with, and will not dissolve, either the metals or their oxides;
and an electrolyte, furthermore, which, although decomposed by the
action of the battery, is immediately re-formed in equal quantity; and
therefore in effect is a CONSTANT element, not changing in density or in
conductivity.

"A battery embodying this basic principle will have features of great
value where lightness and durability are desiderata. For instance, the
electrolyte, being a constant factor, as explained, is not required in
any fixed and large amount, as is the case with sulphuric acid in the
lead battery; thus the cell may be designed with minimum distancing of
plates and with the greatest economy of space that is consistent with
safe insulation and good mechanical design. Again, the active materials
of the electrodes being insoluble in, and absolutely unaffected by, the
electrolyte, are not liable to any sort of chemical deterioration by
action of the electrolyte--no matter how long continued....

"The electrolyte of the Edison