Benjamin Franklin
(1706-1790)
Benjamin Franklin was an American statesman who helped to write the Declaration of Independence. But he was also a writer, publisher, printer and inventor.
Franklin proved that lightning is a form of electricity with the famous, and very dangerous, kite experiment. That experiment led to his discovery of positive and negative electricity and to his development of terms we still use today: battery, conductor, condenser, charge, discharge, electric shock, and electrician.
The lightning rod was among his inventions, along with the Franklin stove and bifocal glasses. Franklin also organized an effective postal system, mapped the Gulf Stream and recognized the aurora borealis as an electrical phenomenon. |
More information about Benjamin Franklin:
Ben Franklin, Scientist -- Franklin Institute Online
Ben Franklin, Inventor -- Franklin Institute Online
Franklin's Autobiography
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin -- Archiving Early America, (earlyamerica.com)
Biographies
Benjamin Franklin -- Spectrum Home and School Magazine Biographies at inkwell.com
Benjamin Franklin, American Statesman and Inventor -- Lucid Cafe Biographies
Timeline of Ben Franklin -- Franklin Institute Online
Other Resources
The Electric Ben Franklin -- ushistory.org
Ben's guide to U.S. Government for kids -- U.S. Government Printing Office
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