Benjamin Franklin Quotes
An iron rod being placed on the outside of a building from the highest part continued down into the moist earth, in any direction strait or crooked, following the form of the roof or other parts of the building, will receive the lightning at its upper end, attracting it so as to prevent it's striking any other part; and, affording it a good conveyance into the earth, will prevent its damaging any part of the building.
Franklin, Benjamin. "How to Secure Houses, etc. from Lightning." Poor Richard Improved, 1753. The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, edited by Leonard W. Labaree, vol. 4, Yale University Press, 1961, p. 404.
Note his reference to God. At the time, there were many who refused to protect their homes with this scientific device as it was God’s will to send the lightening. Before that when lightening set a house afire most fire brigades would but out the fire if it spread to adjacent homes, but would not save the house the God had selected for destruction. See {612836} .
Benjamin Franklin FRS FRSA FRSE was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A polymath, he was a leading writer, printer, political philosopher, politician, Freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He founded many civic organizations, including the Library Company, Philadelphia's first fire department, and the University of Pennsylvania.
