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As we celebrate Benjamin Franklin Day, let us follow in the footsteps of one of the most influential inventors and scientists of all time.
Franklin's Life and Interest in Science
Benjamin Franklin was one of the most influential and accomplished figures of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Born in 1706, he was a polymath, and excelled in a multitude of fields. He was a renowned author, statesman, printer, publisher, and scientist, as well as inventing such items as the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove.
Franklin was a major proponent of colonial unity and became lovingly known as 'The First American' for his tireless campaigning. He was the first United States ambassador to France and his efforts proved vital in securing French aid for the American Revolution.
As a scientist, Franklin is most remembered for his studies of electricity, oceanography, meteorology, and even refrigeration! Franklin also established many civic organizations, including the Library Company, Philadelphia's first fire department, and the University of Pennsylvania. He was also an abolitionist and promoted education and the integration of African Americans into U.S. society.
His Experiments with Electricity
Benjamin Franklin is known for many things, but one of the most impressive achievements of the Founding Father is his pioneering work with electricity. Franklin was one of the first to explore the phenomenon of electricity and even proposed that "vitreous" and "resinous" electricity were the same "fluid" under different pressures. He was also the first to label them as positive and negative respectively and discovered the principle of conservation of charge.
And, of course, what better way to show the practical use of electricity than by cooking a turkey via electric shock? He also proposed a dinner party roasted on an electrical spit, which was quite revolutionary for its time.
Franklin is also known for his famous kite experiment which proved that lightning is electricity. Franklin used a kite to collect electric charge from a storm cloud and, after performing this experiment, he was able to develop the lightning rod - a tool that protected buildings from being struck by lightning.
Benjamin Franklin's experiments and discoveries with electricity were groundbreaking for their time and helped pave the way for future generations of scientists and inventors. He was even awarded the Royal Society's Copley Medal in 1753 and elected a fellow of the Society in 1756 in recognition of his work.
His Contributions to Meteorology
Being a true pioneer and an innovator in the field of meteorology, Benjamin Franklin was the first to truly understand and observe the Gulf Stream and its effect on ocean temperatures. He also made groundbreaking discoveries about storm systems and the direction they move in, findings that are still widely used today.
Franklin's own observations of a lunar eclipse in 1743 serve as a great example of his pioneering research. He was eager to compare his observations from Philadelphia with those of his brother in Boston, but alas, a storm system blocked his view of the event. But when his brother's notes arrived, it was revealed that Boston had seen the eclipse and that a nor'easter had then followed it.
This inspired Franklin to conduct further research, gathering observations between Philadelphia and Boston and eventually concluding that storms do not always move in the direction of the prevailing wind.
Franklin's discoveries have had a lasting effect on our understanding of meteorology, and he remains an inspiration to all who are passionate about science and the pursuit of knowledge.