This is the third part in the blog series “The Secret Stem Lives Of The Founding Fathers” focusing on the incredible hands-on STEM projects that led to some pretty widely used inventions today. (Part 1: George Washington & Part 2: Thomas Jefferson)
Part 3: Benjamin Franklin
Washington, Jefferson, Franklin. All of these men are known as founding fathers of the United States of America. They will always be most known for what they did for the country in its early years, but these men invented more than America. As men of knowledge and advancement, they utilized hands-on STEM learning to create some pretty cool things.
Ben the Inventor
Benjamin Franklin is widely known for his awesome knowledge of the STEM fields. As an author, scientist, political theorist, musician, it is really no surprise that he would also be an inventor. He hold firm to his belief that men should work to improve and advance life for everyone.
Lightning Rod
While Franklin did not invent electricity, he did invent the lightning rod. Understanding how electric current worked in lightning, he developed the lightning rod to attract and suppress electrical blasts, straying them away from buildings and ships. This device has proved the test of time as it is still used today in order to prevent any unwanted lightning collisions and damage to our buildings, homes, and transportation.
Bifocals
Franklin was having problems with his vision; he couldn’t see near or far distances very well. To solve this issue, using STEM principles, he developed bifocal glasses. With a far sighted lens on top and a near sighted one on the bottom, Franklin was able to see any distance the way he needed to. Benjamin Franklin understood how to be innovative, and his creativity led him to create the bifocals, which are used today more than ever.
Glass Armonica
Being both a musician and an inventor, Franklin designed and created his own musical instrument: the glass armonica. The instrument is a series of glass bowls on a common shaft. The bowls are spun and when you apply your fingers the tips of the bowls, the friction creates a musical tone. There’s no subjectivity about it, Franklin understood how the physics of the glass bowls could create the tones. Yet another successful hands-on STEM project.
Benjamin Franklin’s endeavors in the STEM universe can stand as inspiration to everyone. At Stratostar, we look to leaders like Ben Franklin to be our role models as we venture into incredible projects in the STEM fields.
Benjamin Franklin’s endeavors in the STEM universe can stand as inspiration to everyone. At Stratostar, we look to leaders like Ben Franklin to be our role models as we venture into incredible projects in the STEM fields.
