The Age of Benjamin Franklin Season 1 Episode 8 Benjamin Franklin and Electricity

Benjamin Franklin is well-known for all his great inventions and discoveries that contributed significantly to the modern world. But none of them would be possible without his groundbreaking research and understanding of electricity. In episode 8 of season 1 of The Age of Benjamin Franklin titled "Benjamin Franklin and Electricity," we dive deep into the details of his experiments that eventually led to the discovery of this powerful force.

The episode begins with the background of electricity in the 18th century, where it was still an unknown and misunderstood force. It was widely known that lightning was a form of electricity, but how it worked or how it could be harnessed was still a mystery. Benjamin Franklin being curious about the nature of electricity, started his research by carrying out a series of experiments with electricity.

Franklin conducted his first electrical experiment in 1746, where he used a Leyden jar, a glass jar coated with conductive metals, to store static electricity. Franklin's experiments continued, and he discovered that lightning was indeed a form of electricity by conducting a series of experiments attaching a key to a kite during thunderstorms. This experiment led to the development of the lightning rod, which became a popular item for weather protection.

In the episode, we also discover how Franklin's kite experiment sparked controversies and caused heated debates among scientists. One of the main critics of this experiment was Abbé Nollet, who argued that Franklin could have only survived the experiment if he had used a glass rod instead of a metal key. This argument was based on the belief that lightning would have been attracted to metal objects, which would have resulted in death for Franklin. The episode also touches on the heated debate between Benjamin Franklin and Pieter van Musschenbroek on the conductivity or non-conductivity of glass.

In the show, we learn about Franklin's invention of the lightning rod, which helped make many structures safe during thunderstorms. Despite the safety his invention provided, people were still skeptical of the newfound electricity, causing them to view the devices in fear and sometimes even protest.

The episode offers insight into the eminence of Franklin's invention. It played a significant role in the shift of electricity's perception from a supernatural force to a scientific one. It also paved the way for the development of electrical machines and lightning conductors.

Overall, "Benjamin Franklin and Electricity" offers an insightful dive into one of Franklin's most significant and groundbreaking discoveries that still hold relevance today. Through state-of-the-art reenactments, we can see how much electricity as a force in society has evolved from as early as the 18th century. The episode certainly offers knowledge not just to students and science enthusiasts but to anyone curious about the history of this integral force in our modern world.