He started as a laborer, first at a pipe company and later at a battery maker.

Heat is a well-known slayer of batteries, battery makers say, and many laptops run warm.

But the company has no intentions of competing against the large lithium-ion battery makers in the market for consumer devices.

But an environmental pitch might backfire, some battery makers warn.

The battery makers say they will ship the dead batteries to East Asia for recycling.

Rechargeables account for less than 10 percent of sales at Eveready, the world's largest battery maker.

At the same time battery makers have been developing more compact, powerful and long-lasting batteries.

According to industry officials, battery makers spent $40 million on advertising just in the fourth quarter of 1986.

So far, there is no sign that any of the battery makers are wavering in their competitive zeal.