Unlike ol’ Ben, the jolt for us was being at a place of history on a perfect day with 15 mph winds and the joy of a lightning-free outing. “Epic!” Dashiell enthused as our kites swirled toward the heavens over the mansion. Kite and key in reference to Benjamin Franklin does not disappoint - its cute even if a little. Dashiell, Margaux and their parents, Michael and Genevieve, lofted their kites as we considered how Benjamin Franklin dared the elements 265 years ago to do what the kids are learning about in their history books. KITE & KEY CAFE ON FRANKLIN, 2301 W Franklin St, Evansville, IN 47712, 68 Photos, Mon - Closed, Tue - 6:00 am - 2:00 pm, Wed - 6:00 am - 2:00 pm, Thu - 6:00 am - 2:00 pm, Fri - 6:00 am - 2:00 pm, Sat - 6:00 am - 2:00 pm, Sun - 6:00 am - 2:00 pm. Sally joined us on our adventure outside the township-owned mansion. I always say that when anyone does an experiment, they do it many times and in many places so, why not Bensalem?” According to Sally Sondesky of the Bensalem Historical Society, “A Bensalem legend says that while visiting Galloway at Trevose, he flew a kite where the Neshaminy Mall stands today. The story persists, Franklin’s great kite experiment occurred there. Franklin frequently visited Growden, stayed over, even wrote his autobiography there. The home and most of Bensalem was owned by Joseph Galloway, Franklin’s good friend and speaker of the state House of Representatives in the 1770s. But his description of a field near a barn most matches the grounds of the Growden Mansion at that time. Many historians believe it was from his Philadelphia home or from the spire of Christ Church in the city. “Franklin lightning rods” soon sprouted on houses, church steeples, businesses, barns, even ship masts on the Delaware River.įranklin was never clear about where he flew his celebrated kite. The elder put his knuckle against the key moments later, confirming its warmth. Franklin and his son noticed loose fibers on the line bristling from the static charge. The jolt surged down the wet string to the key. Lightning flashed, striking the iron wire on Franklin’s kite. The air crackled with the smell of ozone as the storm intensified. Six years later, the moment was at hand to prove lightning could be tapped in Trevose. after which the first thing I took notice of was a violent quick shaking of my body.” But Franklin had long experimented with static electricity by rubbing things together around the house, He experienced an electric shock in 1746, describing it as “a universal blow throughout my whole body from head to foot. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.At the time, many believed atmospheric fireworks were the “wrath of God,” not to be messed with. Thanks to our Patrons Andrew Herron, Bhargava Kandada, and Mark Roop for supporting us this week. All that, plus, words from Neil about the value of discovery and continuing to learn throughout your life. Why did Europe turn dark in 1783? Where does the word “mesmerize” come from? We dive into Franklin’s efforts to debunk Anton Mesmer’s “animal magnetism” and the discovery of the placebo effect. Why was he sent to France to conduct diplomacy? Explore the power of science and how Franklin helped Captain Cook finish his journey back from the South Pacific.

We learn about Franklin’s role in the American revolution. Is capturing lighting thwarting the will of god? How does lightning work? We explain how lightning rods work, how it saved many New England buildings, and how it got Franklin in trouble with the church.

Discover “electrical fluid,” as they called it, the invention of the battery, and the key to electricity. We explore Franklin’s most iconic experiment: the kite with a key. How did scientists in the 1760s calculate the distance between the Earth and the sun? When did Franklin go from being a publisher of science to a doer of science? Learn about the transit of Venus. We explore how he got his start in science, almanacs, and diplomacy. Who was Benjamin Franklin? Neil discovers a way to transport him to the present so we can get our answers directly from the source. How does lightning work? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck break down the legendary science and inventions of Benjamin Franklin, live with chief editor of The Benjamin Franklin Papers, Ellen Cohn and Benjamin Franklin himself!

Ben franklin key and kite