Electrolytes: From a Thorn Comes a Rose,and from a Rose,a Thorn

In this article we take a stroll through the metaphorical rose garden, part of the flower garden, that is electrochemical storage systems. We take a closer look at batteries as the center‐pieces – the roses – and especially at the system component of batteries, the electrolyte and its development, throughout history. Just as a rose can only develop its unique beauty when taken good care of and provided with clean water and suitable nutrients, a battery cell cannot function without its electrolyte; the seemingly trivial component that has to juggle a multitude of requirements in order to make batteries truly bloom.