Direct current (DC) wasn't invented by a single person, but **Thomas Edison** is the most closely associated with its development and popularization in the late 19th century. Edison was a major proponent of DC electricity, and he worked extensively to create electrical systems using DC for lighting and power distribution.
However, the concept of DC electricity itself has older roots. **Alessandro Volta**, in 1800, is credited with creating the first chemical battery, known as the **Voltaic Pile**, which produced a steady, constant current (DC). This was one of the earliest demonstrations of direct current.
So, while Edison helped make DC widely known and used in practical applications, it was **Volta's work** with electricity that laid the foundation for the development of DC.
Do you want to know more about Edisonβs role in this or about Volta's work?