On Monday, we honored Dr. Martin Luther King, an American who played a major role in bringing about positive change in our nation.
It’s appropriate that we also remember another renowned American this week — Benjamin Franklin, whose birthday was Sunday. Perhaps the preeminent Founding Father of our great nation, Franklin was born Jan. 17, 1706, in Boston, according to a story in The Fresno Bee.
Benjamin Franklin was a printer, author, inventor, civic activist, statesman and diplomat. One of the more versatile geniuses in history, he was the most famous American in the world during the late 18th century as a result of his achievements in science and philosophy.
As ambassador to France during our American Revolution, he secured the French alliance that helped make our revolution a success. Along with John Adams, he assisted Thomas Jefferson in the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Were he not so old in 1789, (83), he might very well have become our first president.
In 1727, when only 21, Franklin started a book club that enabled him and other like-minded citizens to improve their knowledge by sharing books. Meeting regularly, their discussion of issues of the day resulted in the creation of many notable organizations in Philadelphia.
The success of this group inspired Franklin to initiate the first subscription library in North America. This library is now located in Independence Hall. It is still fully functioning and contains more than half a million rare books and pamphlets.
During this period, Benjamin Franklin also created his own printing house and started publishing The Pennsylvania Gazette. This newspaper eventually became The Saturday Evening Post. It is still published as a bimonthly and can be accessed on line.
Franklin organized the first fire department in Philadelphia. His famous statement, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” was actually fire-fighting advice.
Benjamin Franklin’s contributions to the world as an inventor alone would make him a major historical figure. Among his many discoveries were the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, bifocal glasses and the flexible urinary catheter. He never patented any of his inventions, believing that since we benefit from the invention of others, we should be happy to serve others by our own inventions.
Photo by bartkings.