Benjamin Franklin (Essay Sample)

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Benjamin Franklin
In the field of human history, there have been some distinguished individuals who have made significant time-binding contributions which have left their mark in the field of science, literature and education. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was among these brilliant minds and was one of the few polymaths of his generation. He remains one of the most accomplished scientific thinkers and inventors of his time. He gained fame in the 16th century as a scientist, philosopher, inventor, civic leader, statesman and also a philanthropist and is regarded one of the rare individuals who made time binding contributions to multiple fields of human knowledge (Levinson 269). He is credited with several inventions which not only impacted American lives but humankind as a whole. His contributions to various fields of human knowledge not only defined the scientific views of his generation but also passed down valuable knowledge to subsequent future generations. Unlike other scientists, Franklin was reluctant to patent his work and instead advocated that science existed for the betterment of mankind. This made him one of the most respected and admired intellectual minds of the 16th century.
Benjamin Franklin made time binding contributions to various fields of human knowledge. These fields included philosophy, science, civics and also politics. As a philosopher, Franklin published the renowned Poor Richard’s Almanack which contained a collection of his personal aphorisms which helped in shaping up American values at that particular time. He also established the American philosophical society in 1743 which was credited as America’s pioneer learning society in the field of humanities and sciences. As an inventor, Franklin is credited with many scientific inventions which helped in providing solutions to common problems. His famous flying-kite experiment in 1752 helped scientists understand the electrical properties of lightning. His subsequent invention of the lightning rod helped in shielding buildings from harmful lightning effects. Franklin’s frequent transatlantic voyages helped to reinforce his knowledge on ships and other oceanic phenomena. This knowledge was instrumental in his contributions towards the field of Atlantic navigation. Benjamin Franklin was a noted philanthropist and civic leader during his time. His unfaltering belief on the importance of education led him to establish the Library Company of Philadelphia. The library helped improve the conservational intelligence of common Americans. Franklin’s observations of the catastrophic effects of fires led him to propose the establishment of volunteer fire organizations in Philadelphia in 1736. These organizations comprised of volunteer members who would be at hand to put out fires. Franklin also improved the quality of life for common Philadelphia residents through joint ventures with town councils which helped in lighting the streets of Philadelphia using lamp globes. Franklin was among the architects of the declaration of independence and stands as the only person in history who participated in the signing of all the four documents that helped in the establishment of the United States of America.
Franklin’s curiosity regarding aquatic phenomena such as sea water, rivers and also lake water played a major role in his many scientific experiments and inventions. Water was pivotal in his discovery of the properties of electricity, the meteorological experiments on air and attraction and also the movement of ocean tides. Franklin’s high regard on the value of water to human existence led him to advocate the art of swimming as a skill which was essential in attaining both physical and mental excellence. He had an innate fascination with fluids and fluidity which was manifested in his Experiments and Observations of Electricity published in 1751 regarding the properties of the electrical fluid. According to Cleary, Franklin’s several experiments on electricity helped in shaping his understanding of the versatile properties of water and its properties as an “intellectually challenging and scientifically curious element”(57). Franklin’s recognition of the versatile properties of water helped him in proposing the art of swimming as a physical activity which merged human kinetics with scientific incredulity. In his pamphlet titled Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania in 1749, Franklin recommended swimming as a necessary step towards achieving happiness in an individual capacity and also the community at large. Franklin’s was of the view that swimming entailed mastering the technique of attaining control over water. This was based on the fact that the ...