What are 5 interesting facts about Benjamin Franklin?

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11 Surprising Facts About Benjamin Franklin
  • He only had two years of formal education.
  • Franklin became a hit writer as a teenager.
  • He spent half his life in unofficial retirement.
  • Franklin designed a musical instrument used by Mozart andBeethoven.
  • He was a reluctant revolutionary.
  • Franklin created a phonetic alphabet.
  • His son was a British loyalist.



Keeping this in view, what makes Benjamin Franklin Special?

As a scientist, he was a major figure in the AmericanEnlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries andtheories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for thelightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among otherinventions.

Secondly, what was Benjamin Franklin's real name? Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17,1706 in Boston in what was known as the Massachusetts Bay Colony.He was born on a small house on 17 Milk Street, across thestreet from the Old Meeting House. His father was JosiahFranklin, soap and candle maker. His mother was AbiahFolger, a home maker.

Furthermore, what was Benjamin Franklin's greatest achievement?

10 Major Accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin

  • #1 He created the first published political cartoon inU.S.
  • #2 He authored the famous Poor Richard's Almanack.
  • #3 Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod.
  • #4 He invented numerous other things including bifocallenses.
  • #5 He aided the repeal of the Stamp Act of 1765.

Why was Benjamin Franklin put on the $100 bill?

By YourDictionary. American money, much like other worldcurrencies, commemorates some of the country's most influentialpeople. In this way, Benjamin Franklin's head is featured onthe hundred dollar bill, celebrating some of his mostimportant contributions to American history.

39 Related Question Answers Found

Is Ben Franklin the only non President on money?

He was not a president; in fact currently,there are only two non presidents in the front of USbills. One is Benjamin Franklin and the other is AlexanderHamilton on the $10 bill. Franklin played a key role inbuilding the nation.

Why did Benjamin Franklin sign the Declaration of Independence?

His home was vandalized by the British in 1777 duringthe American Revolutionary War. Benjamin Franklin(1706-1790)—After the signing of the Declaration ofIndependence, Benjamin Franklin helped to negotiate theTreaty of Alliance with France in 1778 and the Treaty of Pariswhich ended the Revolutionary War in 1783.

What is the most important thing about Benjamin Franklin?

Benjamin Franklin helped draft the Declaration ofIndependence and the U.S. Constitution. Franklin wasfamous for his investigations into electricity and forwriting 'Poor Richard's Almanack.'

Who made electricity first?

Benjamin Franklin

Who were Ben Franklin's friends?


Edward Bancroft, a physician and naturalist (alsoFranklin's secretary in Paris), Jonathan Williams, WilliamAlexander, and English banker Thomas Walpole were amongothers.

Where would you find a lightning rod?

Because lightning tends to strike the highestobject in the vicinity, rods are typically placed at theapex of a structure and along its ridges; they are connected to theground by low-impedance cables. In the case of a building, the soilis used as the ground; on a ship, the water is used.

What are 3 interesting facts about Benjamin Franklin?

11 Surprising Facts About Benjamin Franklin
  • He only had two years of formal education.
  • Franklin became a hit writer as a teenager.
  • He spent half his life in unofficial retirement.
  • Franklin designed a musical instrument used by Mozart andBeethoven.
  • He was a reluctant revolutionary.
  • Franklin created a phonetic alphabet.
  • His son was a British loyalist.

When did electricity get invented?

The invention of a practical incandescent lightbulb in the 1870s led to lighting becoming one of the firstpublicly available applications of electricalpower.

What was Benjamin Franklin's first invention?

His first invention
An 11 year old Benjamin invented a pair of finsto wear on his hands while he swam.

What is Benjamin Franklin's legacy?


He was the best known American in Europe because of hisexperiments with electricity. Franklin was a down to earthman who believed in the power of education as a way to selfimprovement. He was open to new technologies of histime.

What were Ben Franklin's top 10 inventions?

Inventions and Improvements
  • Swimming fins. Franklin loved swimming.
  • The Glass armonica. When in London he saw for the first timemusical glasses by which glasses were arranged on a table, rubbedaround the rims with wet fingers to produce musical notes.
  • The Franklin stove.
  • Lightning rod.
  • Street lamps.
  • Bifocals.
  • Odometer.

Which quote is attributed to Benjamin Franklin?

Benjamin Franklin quotes Showing 1-30 of 711.“Either write something worth reading or do something worthwriting.” “They who can give up essential liberty toobtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty norsafety.” “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I mayremember, involve me and I learn.”

Who invented bifocals?

Benjamin Franklin

Did Benjamin Franklin sign the Constitution?

Benjamin Franklin is the only founding father tohave signed all four of the key documents establishing theU.S.: the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Treaty ofAlliance with France (1778), the Treaty of Paris establishing peacewith Great Britain (1783) and the U.S. Constitution(1787).

What does Benjamin Franklin have to do with electricity?


One of the most famous experiments done by BenjaminFranklin was the Kite Experiment. He attached a long wire to akite made of silk. He used it to draw electricity from stormclouds and charge a Leyden Jar. Franklin built a setupcalled Franklin Bells which served as a warning forapproaching thunder clouds.

What was Benjamin Franklin Best known for as a scientist?

As a scientist, he was a major figure in theAmerican Enlightenment and the history of physics for hisdiscoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, heis known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and theFranklin stove, among other inventions.