10 questions · Science
Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston in 1706, was an exceptional figure: printer, publisher, inventor, natural scientist, diplomat and one of the Founding Fathers of the USA: a self-made man who left school early and taught himself all he knew. He became famous for his experiments with electricity. With the daring kite experiment in a thunderstorm he set out to show that lightning is nothing other than an electrical discharge: the same force that could be produced in the laboratory. From this insight he developed one of the most useful inventions of all: the lightning rod, which still protects countless buildings today. The terms "positive" and "negative" charge also come from him. Franklin's inventiveness knew few limits: he invented bifocal glasses, an efficient stove and much more and deliberately filed no patents, because he wanted everyone to benefit. As a statesman he was one of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence and, as envoy in Paris, won France as an ally in the War of Independence. To this day his face looks out from the 100-dollar bill. He died in 1790 as one of the most famous men of his age.
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kite experiment
Lightning is an electrical discharge.
💡 Did you know? With a kite in a thunderstorm, Franklin showed that lightning is just a giant electric spark: an extremely dangerous experiment.
lightning rod
It still protects buildings today.
💡 Did you know? Franklin's lightning rod first protected buildings from strikes: one of his most useful inventions.
bifocals
An efficient stove also goes back to him.
💡 Did you know? Franklin also invented bifocal glasses: tired of constantly switching between two pairs.
positive and negative
Still the usual terms today.
💡 Did you know? The terms „positive“ and „negative“ charge come from Franklin.
Founding Father
A signer of the Declaration of Independence.
💡 Did you know? Franklin was a US founding father and the only man to sign all four founding documents.
100-dollar bill
Although he was never president.
💡 Did you know? As one of the most famous Americans, Franklin appears on the 100-dollar bill: though he was never president.
Foto: Joseph-Siffred Duplessis · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was a US founding father, inventor and scientist who developed, among other things, the lightning rod.
💡 Did you know? He appears on the 100-dollar bill, though he was never president of the USA.
1706
Born: 17 January 1706 in Boston, USA
1790
Died: 17 April 1790 in Philadelphia, aged 84
Boston, USA
Born: 17 January 1706 in Boston, USA
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