From the age of 12 to 39, Benjamin Franklin worked
in the publisher business in Philadelphia. He then retired from publishing
and turned to scientific studies. His inventions and experiments in science
soon brought him world-wide fame. His most notible experiments were with electricity.
Questions you may have include:
What were his inventions and discoveries?
What did he do concerning electricity?
How did he come up with his ideas?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz
near the end of the lesson.
Ages 40 to 46 (1746 - 1752)
At age 42, Franklin retired from the printing profession. He then devoted
his time to other studies, especially science. These were very productive
years in his life, bringing him world-wide fame as a scientific thinker.
Interested in electricity
Franklin was ever curious and inquisitive. He became interested in electricity
after seeing demonstrations about static charges and the Leyden Jar. Afterwards,
he used a method of rubbing glass tubes with silk to generate the static
electric charges that could be used in many of his experiments.
Invented lightning rod
Franklin felt that lightning was electricity that came from the clouds.
To prove this theory, he set up tall, pointed metal rods to provided a path
for the electricity of lightning to follow. His experiments in attracting
lightning to the rods resulted in the invention of the lightning rod, designed
to protect people's dwellings.
Because of the invention, Franklin received accolades. But he remained
modest and even refused to patent the lightning rod or attempt to profit
from it.
Performed kite experiment
To continue his study of the relationship of lightning and electricity,
the 46 year old Franklin devised his famous kite experiment with the aid
of his 21 year old son, William.
One day, during a thunderstorm, he flew a kite in the storm. Little did
he know that this was a very dangerous thing to do.
Franklin flying kite with his son
(Note: Either 21 year old William was very small for his age, or the
artist goofed)
He had attached a metal key to the end of the kite string. As the rain
fell and the wind blew, he noticed the hairs on the kite string stand on
end, just as they would do if you combed your hair and put the comb near
the string. He was able to make a spark jump from the key to his finger.
Luckily, he ended his experiment then, because he easily could have been
electrocuted from his experiment. Franklin seemed only dimly aware of the
experiment's potential danger.
Invented lightning bells
Also at age 46, Franklin developed another device to help him understand
electricity, called lightning bells. These bells would jingle when lightning
was in the air.
Did another risky experiment
To make these lightning bells work, Franklin used the lightning rod he
had erected on his roof and ran a wire from it into his house. He divided
the wire into two wires, which were attached to two small bells separated
by 6 inches.
Between the bells was a little brass ball, suspended by a silk thread.
When storm clouds passed with electricity in them, the ball would go back
and forth, ringing the bells.
Franklin was fortunate to disconnect his experiment before a lightning
bolt struck the rod and set his house on fire.
Lucky not killed
Although his scientific curiosity moved him toward inventive experiments,
he was lucky he was never killed with these dangerous experiments. Once
he received such a severe electrical shock that his body actually went into
seizures. He was more careful after that.
Became famous
Franklin's electrical experiments brought him instant fame, and crowds
began to gather around his home, hoping to catch a glimpse of the "wizard
of electricity."
Started fire insurance
In his 46th year, he also was responsible for setting up America's first
fire insurance company.
The year 1752 certainly was an active time in his life.
Ages 47 to 49 (1753 - 1755)
The next several years Franklin continued his scientific studies, as well
as creating useful inventions.
Coined electrical terms
Franklin coined many of the electrical terms we use today, such as battery,
conductor, condenser, positive and negative charge, electric shock and electrician.
Had several inventions
Franklin studied other scientific areas than electricity. He invented the
catheter, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other things.
Catheter
Ben examined medicine and invented the medical instrument known as a catheter
in order to treat his ill brother. He also formulated theories about the
circulation of blood in humans.
Bifocals
Franklin wore glasses, and after the age of 40 he needed another pair for
reading. To solve that problem, he split the lenses of each pair of glasses,
such that the top half was for distances and the bottom half was for reading.
In this way, he would not have to constantly change his glasses. This was
the invention of the bifocal glasses.
Franklin Stove
Franklin was always noticing problems or irritations and trying to solve
them. For example, when he noticed the problem of heating houses, Franklin
invented a type of stove that would do the job more effectively. This was
called the Franklin Stove.
Background of his genius
What made his achievements during these years even more remarkable was
the fact that Franklin had no formal education in the sciences. He relied
purely on his powers of observation, his personal intellect and curiosity.
Since he was an amicable person with a good sense of humor, he had many
friends—including those who specialized in science. From letters and
conversations with these scientists, Franklin gained insight and ideas for
his experiments.
Also, part of Franklin's genius was that he sought to master every endeavor
that he put his mind to, from printing to science to politics.
Summary
During the years in his 40s, Benjamin Franklin gained fame
through his experiments in electricity. He also came up with a number of
inventions during this time of scientific study. He was inquisitive and
observant, leading to his discoveries. In the later years of his life, he spent
more time on statesmanship, representing his country in Europe.
1. Why did Franklin get interested in electricity?
2. What was the result of Franklin's electrical experiments?
3. Why did he invent bifocal glasses?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion
in understanding the Biographies of famous people. If you had problems, you had better look
over the material again.
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