Changes

==Almanack==

==Almanack==

In late 1732, he began writing and publishing ''Poor Richard's Almanack'', under the guise of Poor Richard Saunders and his wife, Bridget, both fictional characters.  It's purpose was to provide practical knowledge to the common man, while interjecting a rich dose of humor.  Franklin had a knack for rewording old proverbs in a wittier manner and it was his wit that was instrumental in separating ''Poor Richard's'' from other almanacs.  The ''Almanack'' also served as an outlet for Franklin's desire toward self improvement and helping others.  It became an annual publication from 1732 to 1758.

In late 1732, he began writing and publishing ''Poor Richard's Almanack'', under the guise of Poor Richard Saunders and his wife, Bridget, both fictional characters.  It's purpose was to provide practical knowledge to the common man, while interjecting a rich dose of humor.  Franklin had a knack for rewording old proverbs in a wittier manner and it was his wit that was instrumental in separating ''Poor Richard's'' from other almanacs.  The ''Almanack'' also served as an outlet for Franklin's desire toward self improvement and helping others.  It became an annual publication from 1732 to 1758.

 

In 1758, he printed "Father Abraham's Sermon". Franklin's autobiography, published after his death, is a great American classic and is still widely read and quoted.  

In 1758, he printed "Father Abraham's Sermon". Franklin's autobiography, published after his death, is a great American classic and is still widely read and quoted.  

In 1744, he designed the "Pennsylvania Fireplace" (commonly known as the [[Franklin Stove]]<ref> See  [http://fi.edu/franklin/inventor/images/franklinstove.jpg illustration</ref>, a wood burning stove that fit inside a fireplace and maximized useful heat while producing less smoke.  The stove was not as practical as he had hoped, but it laid the groundwork for more efficient wood burning stoves.   

In 1744, he designed the "Pennsylvania Fireplace" (commonly known as the [[Franklin Stove]]<ref> See  [http://fi.edu/franklin/inventor/images/franklinstove.jpg illustration</ref>, a wood burning stove that fit inside a fireplace and maximized useful heat while producing less smoke.  The stove was not as practical as he had hoped, but it laid the groundwork for more efficient wood burning stoves.   

Franklin's numerous other inventions include bifocal glasses<ref> see  [http://www.antiquespectacles.com/topics/franklin/franklin.htm illustration]</ref>, the glass armonica, the flexible catheter, the odometer, and swimming fins.  

Franklin's numerous other inventions include bifocal glasses<ref> see  [http://www.antiquespectacles.com/topics/franklin/franklin.htm illustration]</ref>, the glass armonica, the flexible catheter, the odometer, and swimming fins.  

===Electricity===

==Electricity==

Franklin's great scientific achievement came in his experiments and theories regarding [[electricity]].  He was first intrigued by the concept after meeting Archibald Spencer and witnessing his demonstrations on the creation of static electricity. In 1747, Spencer donated a glass tube and information on generating electricity to the Library Company.  Franklin had several of these glass devices made for his experiments.  He theorized that electricity was one "fluid."  He discovered that when a "positive" charge is created that a "negative" charge is created as well, which became known as the [[conservation of charge]].  He also began using [[Leyden jar]]s, a glass jar with foil on the outside and a conductor such as water or metal on the inside that could be charged with a wire.  Franklin determined that the charge was not stored in the conductor, as was previously thought, and was held in the glass.<ref>We now know that the Leyden jar is an early form of the [[capacitor]], that the charge is contained in a layer of the conductor facing the glass and that the glass (the [[dielectricum]]) increases the [[capacitance]] of the jar (amount of charge that can be held).</ref>  Based on this knowledge, he invented the first electrical battery, which was a series of glass planks that were flanked by metal and wired together.

Franklin's great scientific achievement came in his experiments and theories regarding [[electricity]].  He was first intrigued by the concept after meeting Archibald Spencer and witnessing his demonstrations on the creation of static electricity. In 1747, Spencer donated a glass tube and information on generating electricity to the Library Company.  Franklin had several of these glass devices made for his experiments.  He theorized that electricity was one "fluid."  He discovered that when a "positive" charge is created that a "negative" charge is created as well, which became known as the [[conservation of charge]].  He also began using [[Leyden jar]]s, a glass jar with foil on the outside and a conductor such as water or metal on the inside that could be charged with a wire.  Franklin determined that the charge was not stored in the conductor, as was previously thought, and was held in the glass.<ref>We now know that the Leyden jar is an early form of the [[capacitor]], that the charge is contained in a layer of the conductor facing the glass and that the glass (the [[dielectricum]]) increases the [[capacitance]] of the jar (amount of charge that can be held).</ref>  Based on this knowledge, he invented the first electrical battery, which was a series of glass planks that were flanked by metal and wired together.

In 1751, after serving as a clerk 15 years, Franklin was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly.  He used his new position to advance civic projects such as pushing legislation to maintain and light the streets.  One of the primary issues faced by the Assembly was keeping their frontier border safe from Indian attacks orchestrated by the French.  There was frequent conflict between the Assembly and the Proprietary leadership of the Penn family.  The Penns controlled a vast majority of the lands in Pennsylvania, however, forbid them to be taxed which hampered the Assembly's ability to build an adequate militia.  In 1753, Franklin was promoted to the position of Deputy Postmaster for the Colonies, which he would share with William Hunter, by the British government.  The industrious Franklin, who frequently took inspection tours throughout the colonies, revamped the postal system to be more efficient, speeding up delivery times and creating the home delivery system.  From visiting the colonies first hand, coupled with the increasing need for frontier defense, led Franklin to believe that some form of unification of the colonies was necessary.  In June 1754, a conference was called by the London Board of Trade to meet in Albany, New York to discuss a more unified defense.  Franklin presented his [[Albany Plan of Union]], which called for a "General Government" that dealt solely with defense and left all other legislation to the colonies. The Plan was approved by the conference but was unanimously rejected by the colonial assemblies.

In 1751, after serving as a clerk 15 years, Franklin was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly.  He used his new position to advance civic projects such as pushing legislation to maintain and light the streets.  One of the primary issues faced by the Assembly was keeping their frontier border safe from Indian attacks orchestrated by the French.  There was frequent conflict between the Assembly and the Proprietary leadership of the Penn family.  The Penns controlled a vast majority of the lands in Pennsylvania, however, forbid them to be taxed which hampered the Assembly's ability to build an adequate militia.  In 1753, Franklin was promoted to the position of Deputy Postmaster for the Colonies, which he would share with William Hunter, by the British government.  The industrious Franklin, who frequently took inspection tours throughout the colonies, revamped the postal system to be more efficient, speeding up delivery times and creating the home delivery system.  From visiting the colonies first hand, coupled with the increasing need for frontier defense, led Franklin to believe that some form of unification of the colonies was necessary.  In June 1754, a conference was called by the London Board of Trade to meet in Albany, New York to discuss a more unified defense.  Franklin presented his [[Albany Plan of Union]], which called for a "General Government" that dealt solely with defense and left all other legislation to the colonies. The Plan was approved by the conference but was unanimously rejected by the colonial assemblies.

==Colonial agent in London==

==Colonial agent in London==

In 1757, Franklin went to [[London]] to represent Pennsylvania in its quarrel with [[William Penn]]’s heirs (Pennsylvania was the last of the propriety colonies).  He remained abroad for eighteen years, not returning to American until 1775. He was invited to join the "Lunar Society" in [[Birmingham]], where he met many iontellectuals and leaders of the emerging [[Industrial Revolution]]

In 1757, Franklin went to [[London]] to represent Pennsylvania in its quarrel with [[William Penn]]’s heirs (Pennsylvania was the last of the propriety colonies).  He remained abroad for eighteen years, not returning to American until 1775. He was invited to join the "Lunar Society" in [[Birmingham]], where he met many intellectuals and leaders of the emerging [[Industrial Revolution]]

Franklin also represented several other colonies and became a regular observer, and unofficial representative of the colonies.  In 1765, he assured British politicians that Americans would accept the [[Stamp Act]], but news of colonial protest caused him to back away from that position.  Afterwards, Franklin regularly opposed British attempts to tax the colonies.

Franklin also represented several other colonies and became a regular observer, and unofficial representative of the colonies.  In 1765, he assured British politicians that Americans would accept the [[Stamp Act]], but news of colonial protest caused him to back away from that position.  Afterwards, Franklin regularly opposed British attempts to tax the colonies.

He understood the risks the [[Founding Fathers]] were taking and told them, "We must all hang together, or we shall hang separately."

He understood the risks the [[Founding Fathers]] were taking and told them, "We must all hang together, or we shall hang separately."

==Ambassador==

==Ambassador==

Franklin was America's first  minister (ambassador) to [[France]], where where he was instrumental in obtaining military and economic support for the struggle against Britain. Franklin arrived to great fanfare in France.  Already well-known for his lightning experiment,  his flirtatious manner and wit made him a favorite among the courtiers.  Franklin systematically mingled with scientists, writers, intellectuals and government officials in Paris. He avoided court costumes and cultivated the image of a rustic American, sometimes wearing a coonskin cap. The French loved every bit of it and his popularity helped in securing recognition, money and armies and navies to fight Britain.  

Franklin was America's first  minister (ambassador) to [[France]], where where he was instrumental in obtaining military and economic support for the struggle against Britain. Franklin arrived to great fanfare in France.  Already well-known for his lightning experiment,  his flirtatious manner and wit made him a favorite among the courtiers.  Franklin systematically mingled with scientists, writers, intellectuals and government officials in Paris. He avoided court costumes and cultivated the image of a rustic American, sometimes wearing a coonskin cap. The French loved every bit of it and his popularity helped in securing recognition, money and armies and navies to fight Britain.