Samuel Ruben
American inventor who founded Duracell and held over 300 patents.
Samuel Ruben (14 July 1900 – 16 July 1988) was an American inventor whose work in electrochemistry and solid-state technology led to the creation of Duracell. He held more than 300 patents over his lifetime.
Born in New York City to a Jewish family, Ruben became a licensed ham radio operator as a youth and built radios from spare parts. He left the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn after a few years due to stress, never earning a college degree. Professor Bergen Davis of Columbia University mentored him, allowing him to sit in on classes. Ruben later returned to the Polytechnic Institute as a research student and went on to receive honorary Doctor of Science degrees from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and Butler University. He also endowed a scholarship for chemical engineering at Polytechnic from 1968 to 1972.
In the early 1920s, Davis persuaded investor Malcolm Clephane to fund a private laboratory for Ruben in lower Manhattan, which became Ruben Laboratories. Ruben later moved the lab to New Rochelle, New York, where he worked for the next six decades. Clephane financed the project in exchange for half of any future royalties. Ruben partnered with Philip Mallory to form what eventually became Duracell International. During World War II, at the request of the Army Signal Corps, he developed the mercury button cell to replace zinc-carbon batteries.
Among his more than 100 personal inventions were the dry electrolytic aluminum capacitor, the solid-state magnesium/cupric sulfide rectifier (which converted household current for radio use), the vacuum tube relay, the quick heater vacuum tube, and the balanced-cell mercury battery. He worked as a researcher for the Electrochemical Products Company from 1918 to 1921 and received the Acheson Award from the Electrochemical Society in 1970.
Ruben authored several books, including *Handbook of the Elements*, *Necessity’s Children: Memoirs of an Independent Inventor*, *The Founders of Electrochemistry*, *The Electronics of Materials*, and *The Evolution of Electric Batteries in Response to Industrial Needs*.
His honors included the Edward Longstreth Medal of the Franklin Institute (1972), the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (1966), and being named Inventor of the Year by George Washington University (196
- born
- 14 July 1900, New York City
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1900-07-14
- Birth Place
- Harrison, New Jersey, U.S.
- Death Date
- 1988-07-16
- Death Place
- Milwaukie, Oregon, U.S.
- Occupation
- Inventor
- Known For
- Contributions to electrochemistry and solid-state technology, founding of Duracell
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Samuel Ruben was born in New York City to a Jewish family. He got his start in electronics as a licensed ham radio operator, building radios with spare parts. He had no college degree, withdrawing from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn after a few years due to stress. He met professor Bergen Davis of Columbia University, who tutored him and allowed him to sit in on some Columbia classes. Ruben later returned as a research student at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and received several honorary degrees, including an honorary Doctor of Science from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and Butler University. He also endowed a scholarship for Chemical Engineering at Polytechnic.
Reader's Guide
Samuel Ruben's significance lies in his foundational contributions to portable power and solid-state electronics. As the co-founder of Duracell, his development of the mercury button cell in 1942 addressed a critical military need, leading to compact, reliable batteries that transformed consumer electronics. His invention of the dry electrolytic aluminium capacitor and the solid-state magnesium/cupric sulfide rectifier advanced the miniaturization and efficiency of radios and other household devices. Despite lacking a formal college degree, Ruben's self-taught expertise and collaboration with mentors like Bergen Davis enabled him to accumulate over 300 patents. His work bridged academic and industrial research, as seen in his roles at Columbia University and Harvard, and his establishment of Ruben Laboratories. The enduring impact of his innovations is reflected in the global presence of Duracell and the continued use of his battery and capacitor designs. Ruben's legacy also includes his writings, such as 'The Evolution of Electric Batteries in Response to Industrial Needs,' and honors like the Edward Longstreth Medal and the Acheson Award.
Did You Know?
- Samuel Ruben had no college degree, withdrawing from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn due to stress.
- He developed the mercury button cell in 1942 at the request of the Army Signal Corps.
- Ruben was awarded the Acheson Award by the Electrochemical Society in 1970.
- He endowed a scholarship for Chemical Engineering at Polytechnic from 1968 to 1972.
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