What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? by Jean Fritz

Vocabulary honor-Recognition of or respect for someone’s achievement. edition-A number of copies of something, such as a book, all printed in the same way and at about the same time. contraption-A mechanical device, sometimes fanciful. suspended-To hang up and leave dangling. repeal-To cancel or withdraw something, such as a penalty. treaty-An official agreement between peoples or countries, stating what each side will do about a certain issue.

Essential Questions Why do authors use different organizing structures? How can using comprehension strategies help me? What is the author trying to communicate to the readers?

Ben Franklin’s Ideas, Discoveries, and Inventions

Bifocals Because Franklin was both near-sighted and far- sighted, he had to constantly switch between two different pair of glasses. This inconvenience led him to cut his lenses in half, and put half of each lens in a single frame. This way he could see both near and far with one pair. next

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Ben Franklin’s Ideas, Discoveries, and Inventions

Franklin Stove During Franklin’s time, people did not have central heating. They had to build open fires in fireplaces. These were quite dangerous because the houses were built mostly of wood Franklin’s stove was made of iron, and required less wood to heat the room. next

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Ben Franklin’s Ideas, Discoveries, and Inventions

Electricity Franklin did not invent electricity. He did, however, prove that lightning and electricity are manifestations of the same natural force. He also invented the lightning rod, which when attached to homes, protected them from lightning damage. The rod, made of iron, attracted the lightning, then channeled it to the ground, making it harmless. electricity next

Electricity Terms Coined by Franklin armature battery brush charged charging condense conductor discharge electrical fire electrical shock electrician electrified electrify electrized Leyden bottle minus negatively non-conducting non-conductor non-electric plus stroke uncharged next

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Ben Franklin’s Ideas, Discoveries, and Inventions

Fire Department In 1736, Benjamin Franklin started the first fire department ever. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it was called the Union Fire Company. next

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Ben Franklin’s Ideas, Discoveries, and Inventions

While in Paris, Franklin was the first to propose the idea of Daylight Savings Time. By increasing the available amount of daylight during the summer and decreasing it during the winter season, Franklin hoped to provide the world with a greater opportunity of doing productive work during the summer months, as opposed to the cold and dreary days of winter.

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More of Ben Franklin’s Ideas, Discoveries, and Inventions First American Symbol and Political Cartoon

Vitamin C: Before this nutrient had even been discovered, Franklin encouraged the eating of citrus fruits, including oranges, limes, and grapefruits. Recognizing the healthy advantages of fruit, wise Benjamin coined the phrase "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." He touted the advantages of fruit in helping to maintain the gums and skin. Only in 1795, years after Franklin's recommendations, did the British navy mandate a lime in the daily diet of British seamen. Interestingly, at that point, "limey" became a popular term for an Englishman. The decision to use the lime was instrumental in reducing instances of scurvy among naval crews and illustrates Franklin's foresight.scurvy

Odometer The instrument was designed to measure distances by counting the rotations of the axles of the wagon. Interestingly, the device was calibrated to trigger a bell every twenty rods (1 rod =25.5 yards).

Glass Armonica Franklin used wine glasses of varying sizes to create his armonica. First, he removed the stems and drilled through the bottoms of the glasses. After corking the holes he had made, he mounted the glasses (in order of increasing size) onto a horizontal spindle. The spindle was rotated over a foot treadle at a rapid speed. Musicians played the instrument by touching moistened fingers to the edges of the rotating glasses. High-pitched sounds that emanated were due to the vibrations from within the air column of the glasses.foot treadle

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