Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin, one of the most important Americans in history, did scientific work before 1790. He had a large impact on America as well as the rest of the world. Europe played a big part of his career because the influences he felt from Europe help him develop and work in science. Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706 into a family of ten children and to a soap and candle maker. Although Ben had some formal education, he was primarily self-taught. At the age of ten, he served an apprenticeship for his father before going on to serve as an apprentice for the New England Courant. This is where he first published his works. (DOSB,129) There were both influences from Europe and America I his work. Ben Franklin traveled to Europe many times. He sailed to London on November 5,1724 and arrived in London on December 24,1724. While he was here he visited many people and this would play a large influence on his life. In Europe there were a lot more people with the knowledge and interest that Franklin had and this created more will for Franklin to study science. This is possibly thought to be the spark of his science interest while he was in London. (ANB,383) This was the beginning of many awards in his experiments to come. He was elected to the Royal Society on May 29, 1756. This is probably one of the most influential factors in his work and this is one way that his work was seen by people all over Europe and other parts of the world. Members of the Royal Society had their scientific works published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. (DOSB,129) Some of Franklin’s first works were studying electricity in the 1740’s and this was his most important work that he performed. Much of his work was based upon modifying Newton’s theories of electricity. Two gentlemen influenced him in electricity, Adam Spencer in Boston and Philadelphia and Peter Collinson of London. Some of the first experiments that Franklin did were with three other gentlemen, Philip Syng, Thomas Hopkinson and Ebenezer Kinnersley, in Philadelphia. Franklin discovered here that a point charge would release energy from 6 to 8 inches away and a blunt charge would release at only an inch away. During these experiments, they observed that there was an “electrical fire” and now they would have to go back and explain all other observations of electricity using these concepts.
Gordon S. Wood delves into Benjamin Franklin’s philosophical, political, and personal legacies in the biography, The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. The book travels through Franklin’s experiments, his travels in Europe, and his role in the American revolution. The book begins when Franklin retires from business and becomes a gentleman. It was when he became a gentleman, it allowed him to analyze the world around him. “Indeed, he could not drink a cup of tea without wondering why the tea leaves at the bottom gathered in way rather than another,” a quote from Edmund S. Morgan’s book, Benjamin Franklin. Franklin spent a great deal of time in Britain before returning to America. When he returned, he threw himself into the American revolution, which sent him to France. After he accomplished his duties in France, he returned back home to America where he ran for public office.
Benjamin Franklin is one of the most profound individuals in American history. He is a Diplomat, Writer, Inventor, a founding father, and holds the title as the “First American.” In 1706 Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony. He is the fifteenth of seventeen children that his father, Josiah Franklin, had. At the age of 8 years old Franklin attended school, here he learned literacy. In spite of his successes in school, he had to drop out at the young age of 10 to assist his father with his business. Franklin did not enjoy working for his father’s business, however he had to work at his father’s shop for about 2 years. Josiah then had Benjamin apprenticed to his little brother, James, who was a printer. James is the founder
Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the greatest thinkers, inventors and leaders throughout American history. This Founding Father of the United States was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706 and spent his childhood there until finally moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a teenager. Franklin was a leader in politics and science. Franklin lived for 84 years and passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1790. Although conspiracy theorists may disagree, Franklin was not clearly for or against organized religion during his lifetime. We see this in his autobiography that he wrote at the age of 79.
Benjamin Franklin was a very significant figure during the American Revolution. His success as an inventor, scientist, printer, and politician made him a very famous and successful man during these times. His involvement in the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States always is an important part in US history. Simply put, we could not be here if Benjamin Franklin didn’t exist.
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts January 17, 1706. Benjamin Franklin was one of a ton of children. His father's name was Josiah Franklin. He made soap to take care of his family. Benjamin Franklin’s mother’s name was Abiah Folger, she was Josiah's second wife in his life. Josiah was a father and caretaker of 17 children. Benjamin Franklin lived in a large and poor family.
Franklin worked on his first electrical experiment in 1747 and was immediately intrigued. He continued with his electrical experiments including electrifying his kite string in a storm. He also examined how the storms worked. Franklin learned about how "air ways" cause different weather and storms.
Benjamin Franklin started working on his own version of a fire place in 1741 and was completed and announced in 1742. It was a cast iron fireplace that had tubes running through the house that all lead out the chimney. Building the fire place had many problems to overcome before it could be practical and functional. Franklin had to find a way to stop the smoke from the stove from entering the house while at the same time producing the most heat to the house. Although Franklin is the only one credited with the making of the Franklin stove, Franklin had used others’ researched; most of Franklin’s concept was a combination of the main points of a French scientist’s book written in 1713 and a research by Dutch physician Herman Boerhaave. (Benton)
Ben Franklin also worked on being a diplomat with the French, which relationship was great. He came off as a humble man, dressed as a backwoodsman, but could match anyone’s intelligence. Also his French was stuttering but well, and he was a notorious flirt with the ladies. His personality also helped earn the respect of the French government and helped the new country of America earn their respect. All in all he was a well-known and well liked.
During the 1740’s, Franklin led many advances in science and entrepreneurship. He invented various types of gadgets from instruments ranging from the armonica, rocking chair, flexible catheter, American penny, to conducting the famous kite-and-key experiment which proved that lightning was electricity. His outstanding research and work in these subjects led his 1743 “A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge” brochure to become the establishing document of the American Philosophical Society which made him easily the richest man in Pennsylvania by the time he was 42 years
Benjamin Franklin is considered to be one of the most well-known Founding Fathers, as he helped in writing the Declaration of Independence and the very first Constitution of the United States. Who was he other than a man who fought for colonist’s rights however? Franklin was a brilliant inventor who created many innovating and life changing mechanisms, such as the world’s very first almanac, bifocals, and the lightning rod. He was also a major figure in the American Enlightenment, which restored art, science and music, spreading moral philosophy all across the colonies. Although he was never elected to the role of President of the United States, Franklin served in several other parts, such as the first postmaster general for the colonies in
Benjamin Franklin led an influential life. He was a master of creation. He was a literary genius. Also he became a president. His invents are still used today and everyone loves them. Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1706. He was the 10th son of Josiah Franklin and Abiah (Folger). Franklin’s father was a soap and candle maker.
He also made the bifocals, and the swim fin. The swim fin that we utilize today are for the feet not the hands, but despite everything he concocted the thought for them. The bifocals that he developed are frequently utilized all over the place. His observations of electrical phenomena convinced him that a sharp point would serve the purpose best.” Power is something that is utilized practically every waking hour, we utilize it wherever we go, from the store to sitting in front of the TV. It was an awesome thing that he examined more about, his investigations were extremely useful to us. Franklin invented bifocal eyeglasses by cutting the lenses of two pairs of spectacles. Franklin made an invention that would help him to be able to continue his favorite hobby, reading, and to see long distance. For Ben Franklin, he needed double-spectacles. He also invented the franklin stove. It was invented in 1742, it was a metal-lined fireplace that stands in the middle of a room. It improved the airflow in the house. It gave more heat and less smoke than an open fireplace that uses wood. The stove would normally be the middle of the room in all directions, and the iron walls even absorbed heat, providing warmth to the room long after the fire went out. Separated bifocals, Franklin developed the melodic instrument glass harmonica; adaptable urinary catheter; his own rendition of the odometer. Also,
Benjamin Franklin is known for conducting lots of experiments dealing with electricity. His most famous being the kite experiment. He became fascinated with electricity when he was accidently shocked in 1746. Benjamin wondered if there was a way to protect buildings and the people inside of them from lightning. He thought that this could benefit people in the
Benjamin Franklin, born in January 17, 1706, was one of the founding fathers of the United States; he was a man that only meant well for his country. He once said “they who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety” (Franklin, 1760). That quote is well respected and brings a deep meaning behind it. Benjamin Franklin rather put up a fight and do what he needed to do in order to achieve permanent freedom instead of being a coward and staying off the radar in order to feel safe for the time being. Benjamin Franklin was a very intelligent man; he’s intelligence brought about inventions to
...etire younger, and accomplish other interests. Franklin was a very sacrificial man, always wanting to help others. His list of inventions is numerous, all benefitting early Americans and people around the world today. He saw a problem in society, major or minor, and found a solution. His most notable discovery is that of electricity, and the lightning invention resulted from that discovery. Always looking for ways to help people, Franklin also furthered America’s future, making the nation independent. He signed very important treaties and documents, all hugely beneficial to America. Franklin’s leadership role affected the entire country. Benjamin Franklin will always be remembered as an impactful man throughout America. His drive and ambition through his publishing, inventing and political attributions affected this country, making it strong and independent.