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Benjamin Franklin

Franklin鈥檚 Observations and Experiments on Electricity

5m 31s

Franklin made groundbreaking discoveries in his study of electricity. He wrote up his observations and experiments, which were published abroad and made him world-famous. He coined new terms鈥攍ike 鈥減ositive,鈥� 鈥渘egative,鈥� 鈥渃harge,鈥� 鈥渃onductor鈥� and 鈥渂attery.鈥� And he proved that lightning was electrical in nature with his famous experiment in 1752 with a kite and a key.

Corporate funding for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was also provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine; University of Pennsylvania; Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; Kissick Family Foundation; Deborah and Jon Dawson; Diane and Hal Brierley; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Cappy and Janie McGarr; Lavender Butterfly Fund; and Susan and Charles Shanor Charitable Trust.
Extras
Watch • 1:54:59
Benjamin Franklin
鈥淎n American鈥� (1775-1790)
Benjamin Franklin helps craft the Declaration of Independence and wins French support.
Episode: S1 E2 | 1:54:59
Watch • 1:55:26
Benjamin Franklin
鈥淛oin or Die鈥� (1706-1774)
After success as a Philadelphia printer Benjamin Franklin earns worldwide fame in science.
Episode: S1 E1 | 1:55:26
Watch • 56:05
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin and American Diplomacy
Filmmakers and special guests explore Franklin's writing in this virtual event series.
Special: 56:05
Watch • 59:03
Benjamin Franklin
Franklin and Innovation
Filmmakers and special guests explore Franklin's writing in this virtual event series.
Special: 59:03
Watch • 1:01:26
Benjamin Franklin
Franklin and Writing
Filmmakers and special guests explore Franklin's writing in this virtual event series.
Special: 1:01:26
Watch • 1:15:12
Benjamin Franklin
Franklin and Revolution
Filmmakers and special guests explore Franklin's writing in this virtual event series.
Special: 1:15:12
Watch • 25:27
Benjamin Franklin
A Discussion with Mandy Patinkin and Michael Douglas
Ken Burns speaks with Mandy Patinkin and Michael Douglas.
Special: 25:27
Watch • 4:37
Benjamin Franklin
Franklin鈥檚 Endlessly Quotable Poor Richard鈥檚 Almanack
Franklin鈥檚 popular "Poor Richard鈥檚 Almanack" offered an enduring brand of American humor.
Clip: 4:37
Watch • 2:39
Benjamin Franklin
Franklin Hears About Washington鈥檚 Victory at Yorktown
A month after the end of the battle, Franklin finally got the news from Yorktown.
Clip: 2:39
Watch • 7:05
Benjamin Franklin
Franklin and the Antislavery Movement
Late in life, Franklin petitioned Congress to end slavery in the United States.
Clip: 7:05