Inventor · 1706 – 1790

Benjamin Franklin

Little-Known Facts

He never patented his inventions, believing they should benefit everyone freely.
He founded institutions including a library, a fire company, and what became the University of Pennsylvania.

Myths & Misconceptions

Did Franklin discover electricity by flying a kite in a storm?

He did conduct a famous kite experiment to show lightning is electrical, but electricity was already known; his work clarified and advanced its understanding.