Industrial electrochemistry

Abstract

The history of industrial electrochemistry parallels the development of the electrical industry itself. Both contain fascinating blends of good science mingled with trial and error methods. These also paralleled the development of physical chemistry and engineering science, the latter being especially influenced by the accelerating demands for the invention of new processes and devices to take advantage of the availability of large amounts of relatively inexpensive electrical energy. Similar incentives also drove the development of electrical storage systems, as well as the growing need for remote energy sources. Most fascinating of all are the entrepreneurs who in their fledgling years gave us the foundations of great commercial enterprises whose roots remain in industrial electrochemistry. This paper reviews the history of industrial electrochemistry and its prime movers.