Benjamin franklin inventions and discoveries

Benjamin Franklin was many things in his lifetime: a printer, a postmaster, an ambassador, an author, a scientist, and a Founding Father. Above all, he was an inventor, creating solutions to common problems, innovating new technology, and even making life a little more musical.

Despite creating some of the most successful and popular inventions of the modern world, Franklin never patented a single one, believing that they should be shared freely:

"That as we enjoy great Advantages from the Inventions of others, we should be glad of an Opportunity to serve others by any Invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously."

Here are some of Benjamin Franklin’s most significant inventions:

Lightning Rod

Franklin is known for his experiments with electricity - most notably the kite experiment - a fascination that began in earnest after he accidentally shocked himself in 1746. By 1749, he had turned his attention to the possibility of protecting buildings—and the people inside—from lightning strikes. Having noticed that a sharp iron needle conducted electricity away from a charged metal sphere, he theorized that such a design could be useful:

"May not the knowledge of this power of points be of use to mank

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Benjamin Franklin

American polymath and solon (1706–1790)

"Ben Franklin" redirects focal point. For different uses, supervise Benjamin Pressman (disambiguation).

Benjamin Franklin FRS FRSA FRSE
Portrait by Patriarch Duplessis, 1785
In office October 18, 1785 – November 5, 1788
Vice President
Preceded by	John Dickinson
Succeeded by	Thomas Mifflin
In office September 28, 1782 – April 3, 1783
Appointed by	Congress of interpretation Confederation
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Jonathan Russell
In office March 23, 1779 – May 17, 1785
Appointed by	Continental Congress
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Thomas Jefferson
In office July 26, 1775 – November 7, 1776
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Richard Bache
In office May 1775 – October 1776
In office August 10, 1753 – January 31, 1774
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Vacant
In office May 1764 – October 1764
Preceded by	Isaac Norris
Succeeded by	Isaac Norris
In office 1749–1754
Succeeded by	William Smith
Born	January 17, 1706 [O.S. Jan 6, 1705][Note 1] Boston, Colony Bay, Of no use • Fact Sheet: Benjamin Franklin's Inventions Inventor. Diplomat. Scientist. Entrepreneur. Catalyst. Benjamin Franklin was quite a busy man. In his 84 years, he invented, discovered and improved many of the devices and civic institutions that people rely on today. Here’s a look: He invented: Swim fins (1717) Franklin/Pennsylvania stove (1741) Lightning rod (1750) Flexible catheter (1752) 24-hour, three-wheel clock that was much simpler than other designs of the day (1757) Glass armonica, a simple musical instrument made of spinning glass (1762) Bifocals (1784) Long arm (extension arm) to reach high books (1786) He discovered: Ways to keep streets cleaner and deal with waste management (1750s) That electricity existed in storm clouds, in the form of lightning (1752) He founded and co-founded: America’s first circulating library, The Library Company of Philadelphia (1731) America’s first volunteer fire department, Union Fire Company (1736) America’s first learned society (with John Bartram), American Philosophical Society (1743) America’s first liberal arts academy, Pennsylvania Academy & College, now the University of Pennsylvania (1749) America’s first public hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital (1751) America’s first mutual insu