The person behind the invention of the historical lightning rod

June is 268 years from the date American physicist Benjamin Franklin experimented to invent the lightning rod.

Today the lightning system is an integral part of high-rise buildings around the world.

The "mortal" experiment

According to the Franklin Institute of Technology (USA), in 1752, Benjamin (46 years) and his son William (21 years old) jointly performed an experiment to prove the hypotheses about the properties of lightning: real lightning is the discharge.

Two years earlier, Benjamin published an article suggesting this experiment.

He (acts as a lightning rod). The kite is tied to a conductive wire, at the end of the string, a key is attached.

The painting depicts Benjamin Franklin's experiment with his son.

Rain came, the water-absorbent rope made it possible to conduct electricity. Benjamin can sense the electric current accumulating in the key. This proves that lightning is a discharge phenomenon.

Later, he used the Leiden bottle - the original form of the capacitor - to charge the key from the key and obtain a huge amount of electricity.

Another picture redraws the experimental effort of scientist Benjamin Franklin.

Benjamin is very fortunate not to be affected by the experiment. Because only one year later, German physicist Georg Wilhelm Richmann recreated the same experiment in St. Petersburg . Petersburg, Russia and were killed.

Richmann is the first case of death when performing electromagnetism experiments. His death shocked the scientific world.

Richmann's death once shocked the scientific world.

Before that, Benjamin only used a piece of dry silk isolated from the electric current. Benjamin also intends to perform experiments on the top of the church tower but later changes his plans because he thinks higher kite flying will be more effective.

In addition to risking his own life, the daring kite experiment also faces fierce criticism from the religious world when he thinks Franklin is challenging and trespassing on God.

Invented for life

After the experiment, decided to try the first lightning rod application in Philadelphia in 1753. As a result, his house was not affected during the rainy season that year. Gradually, his initiative became popular.

Usually in a thunderstorm, the raised areas on the ground are like spikes where the strongest electric field is easy to absorb.

After that, the lightning current flows into a lead system down to the ground. Because the earth is positively charged, negative electric current should neutralize electricity.

Lightning rod is an important invention for mankind - (Photo: The Atlantic).

In recognition of his research in the field of electricity, the Royal Council of London awarded Franklin the Copley Medal - honoring those with outstanding achievements in scientific research.

Since 1914, Benjamin Franklin's portrait has been printed on a US $ 100 bill. So far, Benjamin Franklin is still one of the few scientists to print on money.

A multi-talented scientist

In addition to scientific research, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a politician, a philosopher, a social activist and a top diplomat.

He was one of the founders of the United States, a proponent of the unity of the colonies. Historians call him "the first American".