Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was born

Jan 17, 1706

Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 in Boston. He was the 10th son of a soap and candle maker.

Invented swim fins

Mar 19, 1717

Franklin was an avid swimmer. At the age of 11 he invented swim fins which were attached to one's hands.

Employment as a printer

Sep 25, 1723

In Philadelphia he rose rapidly in the printing industry. He published "The Pennsylvania Gazette." His most successful literary venture was the annual "Poor Richard's Almanac."

Takes his common law wife, Deborah Read.

Sep 25, 1730

Deborah gave him a son and daughter. Their son died at age four of smallpox. Benjamin Franklin also had children with another nameless woman out of wedlock.

Franklin created the Union Fire Company

Apr 18, 1736

Benjamin Franklin created the Union Fire Company which was one of the first volunteer firefighting companies in America.

Invention of the Franklin stove

Oct 10, 1742

Ben Franklin expanded into entrepreneurship with the invention of the Franklin stove.

Founded the American Philosophical Society

Sep 29, 1743

The American Philocophical Society helped scientific men discuss their discoveries and theories.

Created an Odometer

Jun 15, 1749

Franklin was curious as to how far he was traveling by carriage. The device was attached near the wheels of the carriage.

Kite and Key experiment

May 10, 1752

Ben Franklin conducted the famous kite- and -key experiment after some of his theories on electricity were published in England. His electrical experiments led to his invention of the lightning rod.

Invented the Flexible Urinary Catheter

Oct 17, 1752

Franklin invented the flexible urinary catheter to help his brother John who suffered from kidney stones.

Appointed joint deputy postmaster general

Aug 10, 1753

Benjamin Franklin was appointed joint deputy postmaster general of North America. His most notable service in domestic politics was his reform of the postal system, with mail sent out every week.

Headed the Pennsylvania delegation to the Albany Congress

Aug 7, 1754

This meeting of several colonies had been requested by the Board ofTrade in England to improve relations with the Indians and defense against the French.

Created the Glass Armonica

Nov 27, 1761

Benjamin Franklin created a mechanized version and called it the Armonica (this is a glass instrument). In 1762 it was played by Marianne Davies.

First United States Postmaster General

Jul 26, 1775

The Second Continental Congress established the United States Post Office and named Benjamin Franklin as the first US Postmaster General.

Drafted the Declaration of Independence

Jun 15, 1776

Franklin was appointed a member of the committee of five that drafted the Declaration of Independence.

Treaty of Paris

Sep 29, 1783

Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and John Adams negotiated the Treaty of Paris, which ended the War for Independence.

The invention of bifocals

Aug 29, 1784

Franklin suffered from presbyopia. The bifocals helped him see better.

Invented the Long Arm

Feb 12, 1786

Franklin loved books and found reaching books on the high shelves was difficult. He inented the Long Arm which was a wooden pole with a grasping claw at the end.

First president of the Pennsylvania Society

Sep 29, 1787

Benjamin Franklin was elected as first president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery.

Benjamin Franklin died

Apr 17, 1790

Ben Franklin died in Philadelphia at the age of 84.