What didn Ben Franklin do?
Benjamin Franklin, born 300 years ago Tuesday, was one of America’s Founding Fathers. But he was also a printer, author, musician, and scientist. By Steven Ellis A thunderstorm is not the best weather for flying a kite. That is, of course, unless you’re Benjamin Franklin. One summer afternoon in 1752, Franklin and his son, William, did just that. As thunderclouds developed in the distance, the two ran to an open field to fly a kite. You see, Franklin had a theory about electricity. He thought electricity and lightning might be the same thing. But he wasn’t sure. So despite the possible danger, Franklin tested his theory on that stormy day with a special kite designed to attract lightning. After all, that’s what scientists do: They imagine the unthinkable, take risks, and try new things. Benjamin Franklin might be best known as a politician and a printer. But he was also a scientist and an inventor. He was always tinkering with things. He was always experimenting. When lightning struck
