Bifocal GlassesBifocal Glasses
Bifocals are eyeglasses with an upper and lower half,the upper for distance, and the lower for reading.
ElectricityElectricity
Franklin did not invent electricity but he discoveredmany things about it. He showed that electricityconsisted two opposing forces. He also showed thatelectricity consisted a common element which henamed it the electric fire. Further, electricity was"fluid" like a liquid. It passed from one body toanother — however it was never destroyed.
Lightning RodLightning Rod
Once Franklin had an understanding of the behaviorof electricity, he set about to protect houses from thedestructive forces of lightning. A lightning rod,simply, is a rod attached to the top of a building,connected to the ground through a wire. The electriccharge from lightning strikes the rod and the chargeis conducted harmlessly into the ground. Thisprotects houses from burning down and people fromelectrocution.
Franklin StoveFranklin Stove
In America homes were warmed by a fireplace. TheFranklin Stove, invented in 1742, is a metal-linedfireplace that stands in the middle of a room. It hasrear baffles for improved airflow. It provides moreheat and less smoke than an open fireplace and usesless wood. The cast iron furnace radiates heat fromthe middle of the room in all directions and the ironwalls even observed warmth to the room long afterthe fire went out.
Swim FinsSwim Fins
Benjamin Franklin was an avid swimmer from a veryyoung age. Throughout his life he consistentlypromoted its healthful benefits. At the ripe old age of11 he invented a pair of swim fins. However, unliketoday's foot flippers, these were attached to one'shands. His advocacy for swimming was recognizedby his induction into the International SwimmingHall of Fame in 1968.
Glass ArmonicaGlass Armonica
A popular entertainment in England in the early 18thcentury was playing music on upright wine goblets,with tones made by rubbing one's fingers around the lipof glasses filled with different quantities of fluid. In1761, Franklin created a mechanized version, andcalled it the Armonica (after the Italian word forharmony.) Franklin worked with London glassblowerCharles James to build his Armonica, and it had itsworld premiere in early 1762, played by MarianneDavies. Franklin's foot-treadle-operated instrument held37 glass bowls. The musician touched the rims of thebowls with fingered moistened from the water trough.The bowl-rims were color-coded, according to the note.For example, C's are red, D's orange, E's yellow, etc.
OdometerOdometer
Franklin was curious as to how far he was travelingby carriage, in his role as postmaster, for his travelsbetween Philadelphia and Boston.
While the concept of the odometer dates back toancient times, Franklin did create his own version.The concept was to attach the device near the wheelsof a carriage, determine the circumferance of thewheel and the number of revolutions required totravel a mile, and have the device register the distancetraveled.
JobsJobs
Franklin had 14 jobs! He cleaned the toilets, he wasa mop maker, a candle making job, newspaper,Scientist, Inventor, candle maker, printer, vegetarian,works for a bookkeeper and shopkeeper in a store,charts the Gulf Stream, works in the military, andthe only one of the Founding Fathers who signed theDeclaration of Independence, the treaty that endedAmerica’s war For Independence and theConstitution.
TimelineTimeline
1706 - January 17. Born in Boston, the youngest son ofJosiah and Abiah
1715 - Final formal year of schooling
1717 - invents a pair of swim fins for his hands
1718 - Blackbeard the Pirate is captured; Franklin writesa ballad on the occasion
1720 - At a Boston town meeting, Ben's father Josiah ischosen as a town scavenger for 1721
1721 - Brother James Franklin starts publishing The NewEngland Courant
Timeline continuedTimeline continued
1722 - Becomes a vegetarian
1723 - (Sept.) Runs away from apprenticeship, goes toNew York and then to Philadelphia, where he gainsemployment as a printer.
1724 - Returns home to Boston to try and borrowmoney from his father to start print shop. Is denied.
1725 - Leaves Palmer the printer for the larger shop ofJohn Watts.
1726 - Franklin works as a bookkeeper and shopkeeperin a store which sells imported clothes and hardware.
Timeline continuedTimeline continued
1727 - Is rehired by printer Keimer
1730 - Elected the official printer for Pennsylvania
1735 - Brother James Franklin dies
1739 – Franklin’s house is robbed
1741 – Advertises the "Franklin Stove”
1744 – Death of Josiah Franklin, Ben’s Dad
1748 - Becomes a soldier in the PA military
1752 - Received Copley Medal
Timeline continuedTimeline continued
1764-65 – charts the Gulf Stream
1783-84 – Invented Bifocals
1787 – Signs the Constitution
1789 – Writes anti-slavery treatise
1790 – April 17, Dies in Philadelphia at age 84.20000 people attend his funeral.
Fun FactsFun Facts
He had 3 children named Francis, Sally, and Sarah.
He actually had two birthdays, his birth certificatesaid that he was born January 6,1706, but onSeptember 2,1752 the British changed the calendar.
His picture has been on every $100 bill since 1928.
He taught himself five different languages – Latin,German, Spanish, Italian, and French.
QuotesQuotes
“Haste makes waste”
“There was never a good war, or a bad peace”
“Tell me if forget, teach me and I may remember,involve me and I learn”
ResourcesResources
Benjamin Franklin facts for kids
Benjamin Franklin By Wil Mara
Who was Ben Franklin? By Dennis Fradin
Benjamin Franklin Founding Father and Inventer