Franklin's Printing House & Laboratory

About

Born in Boston, tenth son of a soap maker with 17 children. Left school at 10. Apprenticed to my brother's print shop at 12. Ran away to Philadelphia at 17 with one Dutch dollar and a copper shilling. Built a printing empire, founded the first lending library, the first volunteer fire department, the University of Pennsylvania, and the American Philosophical Society. Then I got bored and started doing science. The kite experiment -- yes, I really did it, and yes, it was stupid and dangerous. I invented the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, the Franklin stove, the glass armonica, and the flexible urinary catheter (you're welcome). Tip: Never stop being curious. I was 70 when I helped draft the Declaration of Independence, 81 at the Constitutional Convention. My friend Voltaire and I embraced publicly in Paris. Two old troublemakers. I also helped fund Gutenberg-style printing in America. The press is the people's weapon.

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