The story of carbon anodes began in 1888 when the first prebaked anodes—crafted from charcoal and pressed into blocks—powered the earliest industrial aluminum cells in Pittsburgh, USA. These primitive anodes, with cross-sections of just 8–10 cm², laid the groundwork for modern electrolysis.

A breakthrough came in 1924 with Norwegian engineer Carl Wilhelm Söderberg’s invention of the continuous self-baking anode. This innovation enabled larger cells and higher currents, dominating the industry until the 1950s. However, the resurgence of prebaked anodes—driven by advancements in vibration molding and automation—marked a turning point. By the 1980s, prebaked anode cells supported currents of 280–350kA, with modern systems now reaching 500kA.