4.2  History of Early Fuel Cells

• 1838: Principle of the fuel cell was discovered by Christian Friedrich Schonbein (German).
  
  
• 1843: The first fuel cell was developed by William Robert Grove (British). It employed similar material to that found in current Phosphoric-Acid fuel cells (PAFC).
  
  
• 1930s: Tests involving high temperature solid oxide electrolyte fuel cells (SOFC) took place in Switzerland.
  
  
• 1959: Francis Thomas Bacon (British) developed a 5 kW stationary alkali fuel cell.
  
  
• For additional information see Green Cars, Section 8 (Fuel Cell Powered Cars).