Exploring Electrical Technology Benjamin Franklin

Background of life ( ) Family Family –Large (10 th son and 15 child) –Poor (father made candles & soap) Education Education –Quit during 1 st year (unable to pay tuition) –Helped for awhile in his father’s shop –Devoured books generally, but especially on Science Science Philosophy Philosophy

Ben Franklin’s Education Capitalized on his love of books Capitalized on his love of books –Became a book dealer –Established 1 st public library in Philly Developed his literary skills Developed his literary skills –Wrote much of a newspaper Published himself Published himself Under the pseudonym Silence Dogood Under the pseudonym Silence Dogood –Published Poor Richard’s Almanac

Franklin’s Business Experience Began at age 17 (1723) Began at age 17 (1723) –Became a journeyman printer –Gained responsibility quickly After 6 years After 6 years –Entered a partnership –Worked on press & newspaper of Pennsylvania Gazette

Franklin’s Business Experience Eventually owned a shop that sold Eventually owned a shop that sold –Stationary, books and writing supplies –Food & medicine –Cloth & stoves Successful Successful –Retired at age 42 (1748) –Then had time to write an autobiography

Some of the Many Benefits Franklin First Left to Society Book Borrowing: Began 1 st subscription library Book Borrowing: Began 1 st subscription library Foreign Pub.: 1 st German language news Foreign Pub.: 1 st German language news Rhetoric: 1 st debating club (Junto) Rhetoric: 1 st debating club (Junto) Education: Organized 1 st college Education: Organized 1 st college –Philadelphia Academy in 1749 –Later University of Pennsylvania Daily life Daily life –Proposed daylight savings time –Laid plans for lighting streets of PA

Ben Franklin’s Travels Often took him across the ocean from America to Often took him across the ocean from America to –England –France –Holland Distinguished him from early Americans Distinguished him from early Americans –International perspective –Social contacts

Franklin as Scientist & Inventor Career with Electricity (began ~1745) Career with Electricity (began ~1745) –Preceded retirement from business at age 40 –Grew despite lack of spec. training in science –Aided by his inventive spirit –Included experiments, thinking & writing –Ended abruptly in 1754 after ~9 years Became postmaster general of American colonies Became postmaster general of American colonies Travel commitments continued to keep his atten. Travel commitments continued to keep his atten.

Franklin as Public Servant As a PA representative, sent to As a PA representative, sent to –Albany, NY (1754): resolve French & Indian wars –England (1757): to request taxes due While in England While in England –His reputation preceded him –Statesmanship not always successful –Esp. enjoyed Scotland, but toured continent Returned to PA in 1762 Returned to PA in 1762

Franklin Gains Prestige During travels in Europe During travels in Europe –Received an honorary doctorate From St. Andrews of Edinborough, Scotland From St. Andrews of Edinborough, Scotland Making him officially Dr. Franklin Making him officially Dr. Franklin –Met van Musschenbroek in Holland Propelled him over 28 years ( ) Propelled him over 28 years ( ) –24 of these years spent overseas –In France, his scientific reputation helped make him an excellent ambassador

Closer Look: Franklin’s Consultations & Contributions 1 st introduction to electricity 1 st introduction to electricity –1743 in Boston –Via lecture and demonstration by Spencer Before his retirement from business Before his retirement from business –Received a glass tube like Hawksbee’s –Knew of the Leiden jar

Closer Look: Franklin’s Consultations & Contributions Collinson: assisted Franklin Collinson: assisted Franklin –A friend and agent –Received correspondence in London –Member of RSL –Sent Franklin The glass tube The glass tube A periodical that described electrical experiments A periodical that described electrical experiments Collinson: read Franklin’s letters to RSL Collinson: read Franklin’s letters to RSL

Franklin’s Publication on Electricity Actually a collection of his letters Actually a collection of his letters –Compiled in 1751 by Collinson with a friend –Became “Experiments and Observations on Electricity” One of the most widely reprinted books of the entire enlightenment (!) One of the most widely reprinted books of the entire enlightenment (!) Translated into French, German & Italian Translated into French, German & Italian Resulting Honors Resulting Honors –Copley medal in 1753 –Membership into RSL in 1756 –Foreign assoc. Academie of Science in Paris by 1773

Summary & Conclusions for Today Franklin benefited from favorable factors Franklin benefited from favorable factors –Family –Self-education: wide & specialized reading –Business: developed skills and income –Electricity as a 2 nd career –Travels that brought him Key contacts Key contacts Wide-spread international reputation Wide-spread international reputation

Summary & Conclusions for Today While Franklin seemed the right person at the right time to promote electricity, many others helped him either as friend or foe. While Franklin seemed the right person at the right time to promote electricity, many others helped him either as friend or foe. Next time: electricity & the controversial lightning rod in theory and practice Next time: electricity & the controversial lightning rod in theory and practice