who invented the first dry cell battery, RS DesignSpark - #OnThisDay in 1886, German scientist Dr. Gassner was issued a patent for the first cell which uses zinc as its primary component. His battery is, Fresno Discovery Center - ON THIS DAY IN SCIENCE In 1887, German scientist, Dr. Gassner, was issued a U.S. (No. 373,064), the first in the U.S. for a “dry” cell.