3/21/2023 0 Comments Ben franklin kiteUnlike ol’ Ben, the jolt for us was being at a place of history on a perfect day with 15 mph winds and the joy of a lightning-free outing. “Epic!” Dashiell enthused as our kites swirled toward the heavens over the mansion. Dashiell, Margaux and their parents, Michael and Genevieve, lofted their kites as we considered how Benjamin Franklin dared the elements 265 years ago to do what the kids are learning about in their history books. Sally joined us on our adventure outside the township-owned mansion. I always say that when anyone does an experiment, they do it many times and in many places so, why not Bensalem?” By conducting the kite experiment Franklin proved that lighting was an electrical discharge and realized that it can be charged over a conductor into the ground providing a safe alternative path and eliminating the risk of. The connection between electricity and lightning was known but not fully understood. According to Sally Sondesky of the Bensalem Historical Society, “A Bensalem legend says that while visiting Galloway at Trevose, he flew a kite where the Neshaminy Mall stands today. Flying a kite in a storm was perhaps Benjamin Franklin’s most famous experiment that led to the invention of the lightning rod and the understanding of positive and negative charges. The story persists, Franklin’s great kite experiment occurred there. Franklin frequently visited Growden, stayed over, even wrote his autobiography there. The home and most of Bensalem was owned by Joseph Galloway, Franklin’s good friend and speaker of the state House of Representatives in the 1770s. But his description of a field near a barn most matches the grounds of the Growden Mansion at that time. Many historians believe it was from his Philadelphia home or from the spire of Christ Church in the city. “Franklin lightning rods” soon sprouted on houses, church steeples, businesses, barns, even ship masts on the Delaware River.įranklin was never clear about where he flew his celebrated kite. The elder put his knuckle against the key moments later, confirming its warmth. Franklin and his son noticed loose fibers on the line bristling from the static charge. ![]() first to discover that lightning is electricity when he experimented with his kite. The jolt surged down the wet string to the key. Ben Franklins 300th birthday isnt until Jan.17, but the official. Lightning flashed, striking the iron wire on Franklin’s kite. The air crackled with the smell of ozone as the storm intensified. Six years later, the moment was at hand to prove lightning could be tapped in Trevose. after which the first thing I took notice of was a violent quick shaking of my body.” But Franklin had long experimented with static electricity by rubbing things together around the house, He experienced an electric shock in 1746, describing it as “a universal blow throughout my whole body from head to foot. At the time, many believed atmospheric fireworks were the “wrath of God,” not to be messed with.
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