Alessandro Volta was born in 1745 in Como, Italy. He became a professor of experimental physics at the University of Pavia in 1774, where he worked for 25 years. In 1800, Volta invented the first electric battery, which produced a steady electric current. This invention led Napoleon to make Volta a count in 1810. Volta studied gases and discovered methane and that a methane-air mixture could be exploded with an electric spark, laying the basis for the internal combustion engine. He also discovered the relationship between electrical charge, capacity, and voltage in a capacitor. Volta died in 1827 and is recognized for his invention of the battery and contributions to understanding electricity and gases.