oct 19, 1752 - Benjamin Franklin's Kite Experiment

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Benjamin Franklin was an Enlightenment thinker and a scientist. The idea of electricity fascinated him so he conducted the kite experiment in June 1752 in Philadelphia. Franklin did not tell Pennsylvania Gazette, a popular newspaper source, about his experiment until October 19, 1752, where he anonymously stated what his experiment proved. Benjamin Franklin wanted to prove that lightning and electricity were both connected. In this experiment, Benjamin and Franklin and his son tied a leyden jar and metal key to the rope of the kite so the electricity could be collected. After the kite flew for a while, Franklin noticed that the loose threads from the rope were standing up, meaning that it was full of electricity. Franklin felt a spark on the metal key when he touch it, meaning that it had a metal charge. Benjamin Franklin was successful in his experiment and was able to prove that lightning and electricity did indeed have a connection.

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