Benjamin Franklin's Inventions

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that Franklin is known as one of the most practical inventors in history. The paper discusses Franklin's inventions of swim fins, the Pennsylvania stove, the lightening rod, improved street lamps, the extension arm, the odometer, bifocal glasses and daylight savings time. The paper shows how throughout his life he thought of new ways to help others through his inventions, which are still as advantageous today.

From the Paper:

"In Franklin's time, the street lamps were very inefficient, and the glass globes became dark with soot from the oil burning inside. They needed to be cleaned daily. Franklin recognized that the problem had to do with lack of airflow inside the globe. In his Autobiography (126-127), he describes improvements that needed to be made to the lamps. He suggests composing them of four flat panes, with a long funnel above to draw up the smoke, and crevices admitting air below, to facilitate the ascent of the smoke. Through this approach, he writes, the lamps can be kept clean and will not grow dark in a few hours as the ones he saw in London. They will stay bright until morning."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bell, Carrie L. Draw the Lightning Down: Benjamin Franklin and Electrical Technology in the Age of Enlightenment. Berkeley, CA.. University of California Press, 2003.
• Goodman, Nathan G. The Ingenious Dr. Franklin: Selected Scientific Letters of Benjamin Franklin Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press
• Pace, Antonio. Benjamin and Italy. Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 1958.
• PBS. The Little Things. Retrieved April 18. 2008. http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/l3_inquiring_little.html
• Franklin, Benjamin. Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. New York Macmillan, 1914.

More papers on Benjamin Franklin's Inventions:

• Research Paper # 109546 : "The Life and Achievements of Benjamin Franklin"
• Analytical Essay # 147526 : "Benjamin Franklin and the American Revolution"
• Narrative Essay # 68364 : "Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography"
• Book Review # 101886 : "Verner W. Crane's "Benjamin Franklin and a Rising People"

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