Abstract: The rechargeable battery (RB) landscape has evolved substantially to meet the requirements of diverse applications, from lead-acid batteries (LABs) in lighting applications to RB utilization in portable electronics and energy storage systems. In this study, the pivotal shifts in battery history are monitored, and the advent of novel chemistry, the milestones in battery commercialization, and the market outcomes of success or failure are provided. The dynamic substitutions among different chemical reactions are examined, the enduring dominance of LABs is acknowledged, the prohibition of nickel-cadmium despite its prior long-term success is discussed, the revolutionary impact of lithium-ion batteries is highlighted, and the inherent potential of metal-air batteries is addressed. Other breakthroughs, such as cell-to-pack and cell-to-chassis designs, solid-state concepts, and structural manipulation, show promising advancements. This detailed historical narrative establishes a framework for introducing and developing batteries and elucidates the potential advancements or obsolescence of newer generations, such as sulfate or sodium-ion batteries. Accordingly, the aim of this historical retrospective is to provide valuable insights for early-career professionals in the energy storage domain and to facilitate an understanding of the evolutionary trajectory of battery systems. In the future, especially for the electrification of society, battery chemistry will be segmented into three types: metal-ion, solid-state, and metal-air batteries.

Key words: Rechargeable batteries, Lead-acid batteries, Metal-ion batteries, Electrification of society