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Franklins lightning experiment, 1752
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Franklins lightning experiment, 1752
Benjamin Franklins lightning experiment. Coloured artwork of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) and his 21-year-old son William, performing their famous experiment on 15 June 1752, flying a kite in a thunderstorm. A metal wire on the kite attracted a lightning strike and electricity flowed down the string to a key, charging a Leyden jar (capacitor) seen near Franklins hand. This experiment proved that lightning was an electrical phenomenon, and supported Franklins invention of lightning rods. Some scientists died repeating the experiment, and the Franklins were lucky they were not killed themselves. Artworks such as this are based on the description Franklin gave to Joseph Priestley. This artwork is from A Travers l Electricite (G. Dary, Paris, 1900)
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1700s 1752 18th Century 1900 A Travers Electricite Assistant Benjamin Franklin Bolt Danger Dangerous Dary Discovery Electric Electrical Experiment Experimenting Family Famous Father French Hazard Hazardous Historic History Of Science Invention June Kite Lightning Lightning Rod North American Paternal Philadelphia Physicist Pioneer Researcher Researching Risk Risky Safety Scientist Storm Strike Suicidal Surname F Thunder Storm Unsafe Us A Filial Irresponsible Lucky Physical Thunderbolt
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This artwork captures the iconic moment in history when Benjamin Franklin and his son William conducted their groundbreaking lightning experiment in 1752. In this colored illustration, we witness the daring duo flying a kite amidst a raging thunderstorm, risking their lives to unravel the mysteries of electricity. The metal wire attached to the kite attracts a powerful lightning strike, sending electric currents down the string towards a key and charging a Leyden jar held near Franklin's hand. Franklin's ingenious experiment not only proved that lightning was an electrical phenomenon but also laid the foundation for his invention of lightning rods, which revolutionized safety measures against dangerous storms. However, this historic achievement did not come without risks as some scientists tragically lost their lives attempting similar experiments. The Franklins were fortunate enough to escape unscathed from this hazardous endeavor, making them pioneers in understanding electricity and its potential applications. This artwork is based on Benjamin Franklin's description provided to Joseph Priestley and is featured in "A Travers l Electricite" published by G. Dary in Paris during 1900. Through this vivid depiction, we are transported back to that fateful day in June 1752 when Benjamin Franklin fearlessly embarked on his quest for knowledge amid nature's fury—a testament to human curiosity and scientific exploration that forever changed our understanding of electricity.
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