The voltaic pile is considered the first true battery, invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800. It consists of alternating discs of two different metals, typically zinc and copper, separated by layers of cardboard soaked in saltwater or acid. This arrangement creates a chemical reaction that generates a steady flow of electric current. The voltaic pile was a significant advancement in the study of electricity, allowing for the first time the practical use of electric power. It laid the groundwork for modern batteries and contributed to the development of electrochemistry, influencing many scientific discoveries and technological innovations.