Benjamin Franklin (person)

1706-90 American statesman, printer, inventor,scientist, writer, diplomat

He went (1723) to Philadelphia as a printer, published Poor Richard's Almanack. Served as deputy postmaster general of the colonies. Famous experiment with a kite in a thunderstorm proved the presence of electricity in lightning. Franklin proposed union of colonies. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence, which he signed. Proposed idea of the Public Library one of the best ideas of all time. One of the Sons of Liberty and the Framers of the Constitution.

he invented or helped develop:

• Public Library
• bifocals
• the rocking chair
• Franklin Stove
• the almanac
• swim fins
• single-fluid theory of electricity
• Lightning Rod
• charting the Gulf Stream in detail
• volunteer fire department
• Daylight Saving Time
• fire insurance
• harmonica
• street lamp
• modern dentistry
• police departments
• the first system of ventilation
• Plaster of Paris for fertilizing
• Benjamin Franklin beer coozie

Related Nodes:

• What Happened to the 56 Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence?
• Benjamin Franklin's method for achieving moral Perfection
• What would Ben Franklin think of this?
• The Constitution of the United States of America
• Manifest Destiny
• General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
• debt is serfdom
• Changes in American Culture Since 1776
• On the Death of Dr. Benjamin Franklin
• Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither
• Freemason
• Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy
• Fart Proudly
• Franklin Institute
• Bon Homme Richard
• Forty-One For Freedom
• Freemasonry
• Albany Plan of Union

Source: http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/B/bfranklin/frankxx.htm Last Updated 06.12.03