Why is it made of very specific materials? It contains a copper tube and an iron rod. Those materials are well suited for galvanic corrosion, which can produce electricty, but unnecessary for a scroll holder. It would be easier to make those parts out of clay or wood if the purpose was just to hold a scroll. In fact, it would last longer if it was all made from clay. It was well know, even in those times, that iron corroded. Also, the copper and iron dont seem to have an aesthetic purpose because they are almost entirely hidden within the clay case.
If it was a scroll holder, the clay casing would more than likely have a cylindrical shape, perfect for scrolls, yet the Baghdad battery case has a bulbous form, seemingly to hold more electrolytic liquid, in order to make the battery last longer. Oddly enough, the clay case isn't even required if this was a scroll holder. The scroll fits inside the copper cylinder and the iron rod fits in the scroll. The clay case serves no purpose as a scroll holder.
Lastly, the clay case was sealed with bitumen, which is very inconvenient for a scroll holder, but works well if you don't want to spill any electrolyte. This would be useful if you plan to store or transport the batteries. This way the batteries could be mass produced, sealed, and stored or transported since they won't lose energy until the circuit is completed through the exposed metal sticking out of the bitumen.
This type of battery wouldn't get the electrolyte replaced frequently because chances are that the metal will need to be serviced before it can be reused. The iron will be corroded and the copper will develop a film on its surface from the electrochemical reaction. The metal will need to be sanded or ground down to expose fresh metal before the battery will function again. To service the battery, the bitumen can be heated, the rods and electrolytes replaced, and then sealed off with fresh bitumen.
In my admittedly short google search, it seems that scroll holders are historically cylindrical, made of 1 material, and do not have a water tight seal. The Baghdad battery does not have these attributes.
Why is it made of very specific materials? It contains a copper tube and an iron rod. Those materials are well suited for galvanic corrosion, which can produce electricty, but unnecessary for a scroll holder. It would be easier to make those parts out of clay or wood if the purpose was just to hold a scroll. In fact, it would last longer if it was all made from clay. It was well know, even in those times, that iron corroded. Also, the copper and iron dont seem to have an aesthetic purpose because they are almost entirely hidden within the clay case.
If it was a scroll holder, the clay casing would more than likely have a cylindrical shape, perfect for scrolls, yet the Baghdad battery case has a bulbous form, seemingly to hold more electrolytic liquid, in order to make the battery last longer. Oddly enough, the clay case isn't even required if this was a scroll holder. The scroll fits inside the copper cylinder and the iron rod fits in the scroll. The clay case serves no purpose as a scroll holder.
Lastly, the clay case was sealed with bitumen, which is very inconvenient for a scroll holder, but works well if you don't want to spill any electrolyte. This would be useful if you plan to store or transport the batteries. This way the batteries could be mass produced, sealed, and stored or transported since they won't lose energy until the circuit is completed through the exposed metal sticking out of the bitumen.
This type of battery wouldn't get the electrolyte replaced frequently because chances are that the metal will need to be serviced before it can be reused. The iron will be corroded and the copper will develop a film on its surface from the electrochemical reaction. The metal will need to be sanded or ground down to expose fresh metal before the battery will function again. To service the battery, the bitumen can be heated, the rods and electrolytes replaced, and then sealed off with fresh bitumen.
In my admittedly short google search, it seems that scroll holders are historically cylindrical, made of 1 material, and do not have a water tight seal. The Baghdad battery does not have these attributes.
