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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 24, 2007 Since You Asked Among the various kinds of batteries around my house, I have "AAA", "AA", "C" and "D" cells. So, what happened to the "A" and "B" cells? OK, I found the "totally tubular" answer myself, but your readers might be curious as well. -- Bruce B., Ashland No fair, Bruce. You're going to put us out of business researching your own answers. We'd retort your pun with one of our own, but the one person allowed to pun in the office was severely injured by a dangling modifier last week and he's holed up in the Since You Asked Infirmary. Advertisement Still, your pun hint tells us that your research may not have gone far enough. Sweet! — the Since You Asked International House of Puncakes still stands! What both of us already know: Used to be when household electricity wasn't ubiquitous, radios used large "A," "B" and "C" batteries to power their vacuum tubes — at much higher voltages than typical batteries available nowadays. Old radio hobbyists recreate those voltaic piles by hooking up modern batteries in a series. But, it appears you don't know that "A" and "B" batteries that fit into the current scale of "AAAA" to "D" sizes — totally distinct from the extinct giants you refer to — never really caught on in the United States but are still in use elsewhere, according to a short explanation on NPR Dec. 25, 2003, given by Slate Editor Andy Bowers (at www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1571125 online). Bowers says "A" batteries are still used in Canada and "B" batteries are used in Europe. Another source tells us "B" cells are used primarily to power bicycle lights and, as such, aren't long for this world because of their limited demand and use. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help