Who invented the Power Banks? In this article, we will talk a little about the history and evolution that the Power Banks have had over time.

What is a Power Bank?

A Power Bank, also known as an external battery, is a small portable battery with which we can charge different electronic devices, such as a mobile phone or a Tablet, without connecting our charger to the electrical network. That is, we simply connect the device that we want to recharge to the Power Bank.

These small gadgets have been increasing in popularity in recent years due to the poor durability of smartphone batteries.

The charge will always be made through a USB port, so together with the Power Bank, we will have to carry the cable with us to be able to charge the device.

History of the Power Banks

It can be said that the Power Banks was first unveiled in 2001 at the Las Vegas International Consumer Electronics Show where a student used an AA electric battery in an electrical circuit.

At that time the battery of mobile phones lasted much longer, so the Power Banks did not really become known until Apple released the first iPhone in 2007. This smartphone could not be easily removed from the battery. This, along with Apple only allowing continuous use of the device for 4 hours, led to iPhone users increasing demand for Power Banks.

Back then, battery cases were invented, which were not in high demand due to the change that occurred in the smartphone, which went from being thin and light to be thick and heavy. In addition, the capacity of many of these housings did not exceed 3000 mAh, so it only had the energy to recharge.

In contrast, Power Banks do not change the appearance of the smartphone and there are many capacities, allowing you to have the energy to carry out various charges if necessary. And so far, a brief history of the power bank.

Types of Power Bank

There are different types of Power Banks, each with different characteristics and specifications. Here are a few:

  1. Pocket size. With a capacity between 3000 and 6000 mAh, they are useful to carry on a daily basis when we run out of battery. Only smartphones.
  2. Ultra-slim pocket. With a capacity between 5000 and 8000 mAh.
    Great capacity. It allows the simultaneous charging of smartphones and tablets. Capacity 1000-2000 mAh. From 2 to 4 full charges on a smartphone.
  3. Huge capacity. Capacity greater than 20000 mAh. Here are the external batteries with more capacity.
  4. SUV. Capacity from 10000 mAh. Shock, dust, and snow resistant models.
  5. Solar. They are recharged through a solar panel. Recommended for camping, hiking, etc.…
  6. For laptops. Used to recharge laptops.
  7. For cars. Ideal for when the car runs out of battery. Also known as “starters”. Perfect to carry in the trunk of the car.
  8. Customized. The Power custom Banks are having a lot of demand lately. You can print your company’s logo on them and then you can give them away to your customers at any event, fair or congress. There are all kinds. From the cheapest made of plastic to the most exclusive made of aluminum and with the laser printed logo.

Power Banks Capacity

There are countless models with different capacities in mAh (milliamps per hour). Depending on the device we want to charge, we will have to choose a Power Bank with a greater or lesser capacity.

To charge a smartphone we will need a Power Bank of at least 3000 mAh, while if we want to charge a Tablet we will need its capacity to be greater than 10000 mAh to perform a full charge. That is approximately 3 times more capacity for a Tablet than for a smartphone.

Maintenance of a Power Bank

For a Power Bank to last us as long as possible, we must follow a series of guidelines:

  • Store the Power Bank in a place where it will not be exposed to very high temperatures. If we store it in a place where it is very hot, it could degrade, and it could even explode and cause a fire.
  • Keep the battery charged at a maximum of 60% when you go to store it. It is important that, if it is not going to be used for a while, do not leave it fully charged or below 20%. To extend its useful life, the idea is to store it with a load of just over half, that is, 55% or 60%.
  • Check that the charger is of a voltage compatible with the input voltage of the Power Bank. It is important to charge the Power Bank with a compatible charger.
  • Avoid putting the device being charged in direct contact with the Power Bank, since it would raise the temperature and both devices could be affected.
  • It is recommended that when you are going to charge a smartphone we put the airplane mode to avoid internet connections. This will load faster.

Evolution

Smartphone users are the biggest consumers of Power Banks. There are more and more mobile phones in the world. Even many people have more than one. Mobile phones are evolving. With each passing year, they have more powerful processors, better cameras, higher resolution screens, more RAM memory… and that means more battery consumption. Everything evolves, except the batteries of smartphones, and that’s where the Power Banks come in, which have come to stay.