Making History Come Alive Newsletter offers the phrase "go fly a kite", attributed to Benjamin Franklin
The phrase "go fly a kite" is often used idiomatically to tell someone to go away or to stop bothering you. However, in the context of Benjamin Franklin in 1752, it refers to his famous kite experiment, which significantly contributed to our understanding of electricity.
Benjamin Franklin's Kite Experiment (1752)
In June 1752, Benjamin Franklin conducted his famous kite experiment, which demonstrated the electrical nature of lightning. Here’s a detailed overview of the event and its significance:
The Experiment
- Objective: Franklin aimed to prove that lightning is a form of electricity.
- Method:
- Franklin prepared a kite made of a simple silk cloth stretched over a wooden frame.
- He attached a metal wire to the top of the kite to act as a conductor.
- A key was tied to the end of the kite string, and he held the string through a piece of silk to insulate himself.
- During a thunderstorm, he flew the kite, allowing the key to become charged with electricity from the storm clouds.
Observations and Outcome
- As the storm clouds passed over the kite, Franklin noticed the loose fibers on the string standing erect, indicating that the key was charged.
- When he moved his knuckle close to the key, he observed a spark, thus proving that lightning is indeed a form of electrical discharge.
Significance
- Scientific Impact: Franklin’s experiment was pivotal in the study of electricity. It confirmed that lightning is electrical and led to the development of the lightning rod, a device that protects buildings and ships from lightning damage by directing the electrical charge into the ground.
- Practical Innovations: The lightning rod was one of Franklin's major contributions to practical science, improving safety and preventing fires caused by lightning strikes.
- Legacy: Franklin's work laid foundational knowledge for the field of electricity, influencing future scientists and inventors. His experiments helped demystify electricity, leading to technological advancements that have shaped the modern world.
Cautions and Controversies
- It’s important to note that Franklin's experiment was dangerous. Flying a kite in a thunderstorm poses significant risks, and modern interpretations of safety strongly advise against it.
- There are debates about the exact details of the experiment and whether Franklin actually performed it as described. However, regardless of the specifics, the conceptual breakthrough regarding the electrical nature of lightning remains attributed to Franklin.