Italy is promoting an unusual proposal that combines science, history, and national pride: changing the name of the electrical unit “volt” to “volta,” in recognition of Alessandro Volta, the Italian physicist who invented the electric battery and helped lay the foundations of modern electrical science. In 2027, the 200th anniversary of his death will be commemorated.
The idea was recently presented by Italian Undersecretary for Innovation Alessio Butti during meetings in Paris connected to the G7 discussions on technology and digital policy. Italian officials raised the proposal with the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, the international organization responsible for maintaining the global system of measurement standards.
Supporters argue that many scientific units already fully reflect the names of the researchers they honor, while “volt” is only a shortened version of Volta’s surname. Renaming the unit would therefore provide greater recognition to one of Europe’s most influential scientists, whose discoveries transformed the understanding of electricity more than two centuries ago.
Alessandro Volta was born in Como in 1745 and became internationally famous after developing the first electric battery in 1800. His invention opened the door to countless technological advances, from telecommunications and transportation to computers and modern electronics. Today, the volt remains one of the fundamental units of measurement in physics and engineering.
While the proposal is still at an early stage and would require international agreement, it has already sparked debate among scientists, policymakers, and historians. Some see it as a symbolic gesture, while others view it as an opportunity to highlight the lasting impact of Italian innovation on global scientific progress.
Regardless of the outcome, the discussion has renewed attention on Volta’s legacy and Italy’s historic contribution to technological advancement.
