10 Intriguing Facts About Benjamin Franklin You Never Knew

10 Intriguing Facts About Benjamin Franklin You Never Knew

Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s Founding Fathers, was a man of many talents and achievements. From his scientific and diplomatic ventures to his political and literary contributions, Franklin left an everlasting impact on the world. In this article, we’ll delve into 10 intriguing facts about Benjamin Franklin that you probably never knew.

1. He was a swimming enthusiast

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1706. As a child, he learned to swim in the Charles River and became a lifelong swimmer. In 1723, he even wrote an essay on the topic, titled “A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge Among the British Plantations in America.” In it, he shared tips on how to swim efficiently and safely.

2. He invented bifocal glasses

Franklin was also an inventor and an entrepreneur. In 1784, he invented bifocal glasses, which allowed people to see both near and far distances with the same pair of glasses. He created them by cutting the lenses in half and combining two different prescriptions in the same frame.

3. He was a vegetarian for a while

Franklin was a health-conscious man who experimented with various diets. In his autobiography, he wrote that he became a vegetarian for a while, subsisting mainly on bread, vegetables, and water. However, he eventually abandoned the diet, stating that it made him irritable and prone to anger.

4. He wrote under pseudonyms

Franklin was a prolific writer and a publisher. He wrote many articles, essays, and letters, often under different pseudonyms to conceal his identity. Some of his aliases included Richard Saunders, Silence Dogood, and Anthony Afterwit. He even wrote a humorous piece called “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker,” in which he defended a woman who was accused of having an illegitimate child.

5. He played a key role in the American Revolution

Franklin was not just a scholar and an inventor; he was also a politician who played a crucial role in the American Revolution. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and helped draft the Declaration of Independence. He also traveled to France to negotiate a crucial alliance that helped the Colonies win the war.

6. He was an advocate for free speech

Franklin believed that free speech was essential for democracy and individual liberty. He often wrote about the importance of the press and defended the right of the people to express their opinions. However, he also understood the dangers of misinformation and propaganda, as he wrote in his essay “On Freedom of Speech and the Press” in 1722.

7. He founded the first public library in America

Franklin was a strong believer in education and literacy. In 1731, he established the Library Company of Philadelphia, which was the first public library in America. The library was open to the public and was supported by the subscription fees of its members.

8. He was a lightning rod inventor

Franklin is also famous for his experiments with electricity. He conducted various experiments, including flying a kite in a thunderstorm to prove that lightning was a form of electricity. He also invented the lightning rod, a device that protected buildings from lightning strikes.

9. He loved playing chess

Franklin was a great fan of chess and played it throughout his life. He even wrote an essay titled “The Morals of Chess,” in which he discussed the game’s intellectual and moral benefits. He believed that playing chess could develop critical thinking, strategic planning, and decision-making skills.

10. He proposed the idea of Daylight Saving Time

Franklin was one of the first advocates of Daylight Saving Time, which he proposed in his essay “An Economical Project” in 1784. He argued that adjusting the clock to the natural cycle of daylight could save candles and promote productivity. However, his idea was not implemented until over a century later.

Conclusion

Benjamin Franklin was an accomplished man who left an indelible mark on the world through his many talents and contributions. He was a writer, inventor, politician, and a strong advocate for education, free speech, and democracy. His legacy continues to inspire people worldwide, and his life serves as a testament to what hard work and perseverance can achieve.

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