Monday, November 10, 2008

Benjamin Franklin: A Great American Inventor

For those growing up, one of the main personalities from Colonial America that we are taught about is Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin is perhaps one of our most beloved founding fathers which also happened to be a great inventor, philosopher and writer. With so many biographies written on Benjamin Franklin, it is clear that this man had so many gifts and did so much for the average American during his lifetime. Here are just a few of his achievements.


Benjamin Franklin was born to a large family in Massachusetts in 1706. In fact, he was the youngest son of 17 kids and although he only had one year of formal education, he was a voracious reader and loved to write. His first job was at his brother’s print shop, but he soon left home at the age of 17 to Philadelphia to start his own print shop. After a successful amount of books and the writing of Poor Richard’s Almanac, he became quite famous in Colonial America and the Western World.


Benjamin Franklin also was an avid inventor, inventing items that are still in use today including: bifocal lenses, the Franklin stove, the urinary catheter, lighting rod and others. In addition, he also founded the first fire department and the first public library. To read more about his fascinating personality, please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


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Monday, November 3, 2008

Benjamin Franklin: A Founding Father and Great American

Benjamin Franklin is one of our most popular founding fathers. For most of us, learning about Benjamin Franklin’s inventions and contributions is part of almost every student’s grammar school education. And while most grow up to have great reverence for Benjamin Franklin, a lot of his contributions are still unknown to many. For those fascinated with Benjamin Franklin, the Smithsonian Magazine offers a fascinating article on the man, his inventions and his contributions. You can read the article today by visiting our main website. Below, you will find some interesting information on one of our most important founding fathers.


Growing Up in Massachusetts
Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706, he was the fifteenth child of a total of 17 and the youngest son. Growing up in Massachusetts during the American colonial period was not easy. He was only able to attend one year of formal education, however his love of the written word would stay with him for the rest of his life. His first job was as an apprentice at his brother’s printing shop and as he learned the trade, he dreamed of having his own printing shop. At the age of 17, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This blossoming city was where Benjamin Franklin found much inspiration and began a thriving printing shop and career as a writer, philosopher, inventor and statesman.


His Early Life as an Author
In 1733, Benjamin Franklin began publishing his soon to be famous Poor Richard’s Almanck. This almanack is where many of Benjamin Franklin’s witty sayings such as “an apple a day keeps the doctor away and “A penny saved is two pence dear” which is actually misquoted to “a penny saved is a penny earned” were first printed. In addition to his almanack, he also published a few books including: The Way to Wealth.


Benjamin Franklin as an Inventor
Besides being a famous author and soon to be a statesman and founding father, Benjamin Franklin also was very curious about science. Throughout his life he made many observations and invented many items that we still use today including: the lighting rod, glass harmonica, Franklin stove, bifocal glasses and the urinary catheter. In addition, he also started the first fire department (called a fire company), the first public library and the first hospital.


Read More About Benjamin Franklin
If you find Benjamin Franklin interesting, visit the Smithsonian Magazine’s website today to read their article on this incredible American. You can visit their site at: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


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Benjamin Franklin and His Many Inventions

Benjamin Franklin is one of our most beloved founding fathers. During his lifetime, Benjamin Franklin not only wrote and philosophized, but invented numerous items, helped in many civic areas and was a founding father of our great country. If you are fascinated about the life and times of Benjamin Franklin, the Smithsonian Magazine is now offering an article on this great man.


From a Large Family to His First Enterprise
Benjamin Franklin was born in Massachusetts in 1706 to a very large family. He was the youngest son of 17 kids and while he only attended one year of formal education, he had a voracious appetite for books and learning. He started his first job as an apprentice for his brother’s print shop and soon ran off to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to begin his enterprise.


The Many Inventions of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was extremely curious and he invented a wide variety of items including the Franklin stove, bifocals, urinary catheter, the lighting rod and more. In addition, Benjamin Franklin helped his fellow man with the first fire department, the first public library and the first public hospital.


Read More About Benjamin Franklin
For those intrigued by Benjamin Franklin, the Smithsonian Magazine offers an interesting article on this great man. To read it, please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


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Monday, October 20, 2008

Patriotic American Benjamin Franklin

For Americans our founding fathers are extremely important historical figures, not only did they have the foresight to create a government to last through the ages, but gave us plenty of insight on how to treat our fellow citizens. Benjamin Franklin is one of our most popular founding fathers and a true patriotic American.


Benjamin Franklin came from humble beginnings, however with plenty of smarts, a good work ethic and strong ethics helped to create a great America and ultimately a better world. Benjamin Franklin was the youngest son of an incredible 17 children and while he only received one year of formal education, he fell in love with the written word. As a boy and teenager, he worked for his brother’s print shop and then left Massachusetts- the place of his birth for Philadelphia to start his own business- a print shop.


Throughout Benjamin Franklin's life he was able to reach many Americans with his ideas which were in the form of papers and books. In addition, besides great books he authored such as Poor Richard’s Almanac, he also worked hard to create better communities and was the first to create a community fire department, the first hospital and much more.


To read more about the life and times of this great American Benjamin Franklin, the Smithsonian Magazine offers an intriguing article on this great man. To read it, please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


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Monday, September 29, 2008

Benjamin Franklin: An Amazing Life

Practically all Americans grow up learning about our colonial and early US history in school and one founding father that is constantly mentioned is the great Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin was one of the finest Americans, throughout his lifetime he helped to further democracy and our great union. While his accomplishments are amazing, his life story is fascinating as well. For those that think you know about Benjamin Franklin, there is a lot more about this man than inventing electricity and bi-focals.


Benjamin Franklin Born in Massachusetts
Benjamin Franklin was the youngest son of 17 children. And while he wasn’t born into a wealthy household, he did have the intelligence and drive that would make him wildly famous and sucessful in the years to come. Unbelievably, Benjamin Franklin had only one year of formal schooling, however during his formidable years he fell in love with the written word and started out as a printing apprentice in his brother’s print shop. At the age of 17, Benjamin Franklin set out on his own; he ran away from Massachusetts and settled down in the city of Philadelphia.


Benjamin Franklin the Author and Entrepreneur
Benjamin Franklin became an extremely accomplished writer and printer during his first decade in Philadelphia. In fact, this was a time for extreme growth in Benjamin Franklin’s life. As an author he created famous works such as Poor Richard’s Almanac which is filled with proverbs that have stood the test of time and are still repeated frequently today.


Benjamin Franklin the Inventor
Another area of life that Benjamin Franklin is well known for is an inventor. During his lifetime he was very successful in inventing new items including the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, bifocals and much more. However, many of inventions went beyond just physical objects, but institutions. For instance, Benjamin Franklin started the first fire department (fire company), the first library and the first hospital in Philadelphia. Americans and people around the world owe a huge debt of gratitude to Benjamin Franklin for his wonderful contributions that have helped all mankind.


The Smithsonian Magazine has an interesting article regarding Benjamin Franklin. To read it, please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


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Sunday, September 14, 2008

Benjamin Franklin: One of America's Most Important Figures

It’s nearly impossible to go through grade school today without learning about one of our most beloved founding fathers- Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin was truly a remarkable man that helped forge this great country and has created and influenced a wide range of civic enterprises such as the library, fire department and the hospital. Life in America would most likely be very different without the intellect and foresight of Benjamin Franklin.


Benjamin Franklin Succeeded Against All Odds
Benjamin Franklin came from modest means, but climbed through the ranks utilizing his true grit, hard work and smarts. He was the youngest child out of an incredible 17 and had only one year of formal education, but this didn’t stop Benjamin one bit. Benjamin Franklin loved the written word and worked hard as one of his brother’s apprentices at the print shop. After realizing he achieved all that he could under his brother, he set out to Philadelphia to start his own print shop and succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest expectations.


Read More about Benjamin Franklin at Smithsonian Magazine
For those that love American history and the personalities that made this country great, the Smithsonian Magazine is offering a fascinating article on Benjamin Franklin. To read it, please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


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Monday, August 25, 2008

Benjamin Franklin: America's Founding Father

Benjamin Franklin has been an inspiration to all Americans and many of us have come to learn about his great accomplishments and their impacts on our society usually in the first few years of grammar school. Almost every child learning about Colonial America and the birth of our country comes to recognize the image and legacy of Benjamin Franklin. While there are quite a lot of myths involved in Benjamin Franklin’s life story, many of what we have come to know about Benjamin Franklin is quite accurate. If you have ever been fascinated with Benjamin Franklin, our founding fathers or the birth of our country Smithsonian Magazine offers an intriguing article on the subject.


Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 and was the 17th child and the youngest of his family. Growing up in such a large family in Massachusetts had both its advantages and disadvantages. While his family was not rich and was not able to give Benjamin the resources he wanted, the fact is that Benjamin Franklin had plenty of talent and resources of his own that he worked hard to develop. You may have thought that Benjamin Franklin was schooled by the best and the brightest as other founding fathers received, but in contrary, Benjamin Franklin received only one year of formal education- enough for him to fall in love with the written word and enjoy reading which ultimately set his course for the future.


At the young age of 12, Benjamin Franklin started his apprenticeship and found a vehicle for his love of reading and writing. His first job was as a printer- at his brother’s print shop. Benjamin worked very long hours each day composing pamphlets, advertising and a variety of products and setting type. Although, this apprenticeship was rewarding, he looked to further his career and decided to leave home and start his own printing enterprise in the city of Philadelphia.


With his new found enterprise becoming extremely successful, Benjamin Franklin became not only wealthy, but renowned for the writings he created. Eventually, he branched out into newspapers and a few titles of his own, one of which is still popular today- Poor Richard’s Almanac. As his popularity and intellectual curiosity excelled, he used this knowledge and power he amassed to do lots of good for not only Philadelphia, but for the American Colonies.


To read more about one of our greatest forefathers, the Smithsonian Magazine has a fascinating article on Benjamin Franklin. Please visit our main website at the following link to read it. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


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Sunday, August 17, 2008

Benjamin Franklin:  An Interesting Life

For most school age children, Benjamin Franklin is as well known as practically any sports hero or entertainer today. Benjamin Franklin has had a huge impact on all American’s lives and was the founder of institutions that continue to this day. Obviously, one of the Great founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin was not only a intellectual force, but also lived an interesting life.


Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 and he was the youngest child- amazingly he was the 17th born. He grew up in Massachusetts and since his family was large- he lacked many of the resources that he ultimately wanted. While his family could not afford many of the things he required, Benjamin Franklin had talents of his own. And after attending school for one year, he realized that he loved reading and writing and the pursuit of knowledge which helped him pave the way to his exciting future.


For more interesting information on the life and times of Benjamin Franklin and specifically on the years that he returned from England to the colonies, Smithsonian Magazine has an exciting article on one of our most beloved founding fathers and his accomplishments. To read this article, please visit us our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


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Benjamin Franklin:  An Interesting Life

For most school age children, Benjamin Franklin is as well known as practically any sports hero or entertainer today. Benjamin Franklin has had a huge impact on all American’s lives and was the founder of institutions that continue to this day. Obviously, one of the Great founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin was not only a intellectual force, but also lived an interesting life.


Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 and he was the youngest child- amazingly he was the 17th born. He grew up in Massachusetts and since his family was large- he lacked many of the resources that he ultimately wanted. While his family could not afford many of the things he required, Benjamin Franklin had talents of his own. And after attending school for one year, he realized that he loved reading and writing and the pursuit of knowledge which helped him pave the way to his exciting future.


For more interesting information on the life and times of Benjamin Franklin and specifically on the years that he returned from England to the colonies, Smithsonian Magazine has an exciting article on one of our most beloved founding fathers and his accomplishments. To read this article, please visit us our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


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Saturday, July 26, 2008

Benjamin Franklin: Wise American

Almost every American child in school these days studies Benjamin Franklin- and rightfully so. One of the most gifted minds and being one of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin has given America great civic and intellectual ideas that have helped this country prosper and which have helped give every citizen their freedom.


Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 and was incredibly the 17th and youngest child of his large Massachusetts family. The Franklin’s were not a rich family and usually didn’t have the resources that Benjamin ultimately wanted. Although his family couldn’t provide him with lavish gifts, he had many of his own. Benjamin Franklin wasn’t even able to get a complete schooling and only attended one single year as a child. However, he did learn to reach and had a love for reading, writing and knowledge that would help set a course for his future.


At the age of 12, Benjamin Franklin started a job as an apprentice. His love of reading and writing became a job as a printer. Under his brother, he worked very long hours each day composing pamphlets, advertising a variety of products and setting type. While Benjamin Franklin enjoyed work, the job wasn’t rewarding enough for him. He decided to run away and work as his own printer in the prospering city of Philadelphia.


Benjamin Franklin soon realized what many others realize when they work in a career; he was far better at the job than his own boss. With some money that he borrowed, he decided to set up a printing shop of his own, he also bought a newspaper and started to print many titles of his own including the Poor Richard’s Almanac which is known for his very popular and very wise quotes.


As his fame and wealth increased and his writing became renown, Benjamin Franklin did not stop thinking. He made overwhelming contributions to Philadelphia, our country and the world. Some of the contributions Benjamin Franklin is famous for included, clean, lit paved streets, a fire company (fire department) to help put out fires around the city, creating the first library and creating a hospital in Philadelphia.


Benjamin Franklin’s life is extremely interesting and Smithsonian Magazine has created an insightful article on this great man and founding father. For those interested in reading more about the contributions and achievements of Benjamin Franklin, please visit our main website today at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


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Friday, July 25, 2008

Benjamin Franklin: Real American Hero

Benjamin Franklin is known as one of the most important American Figures. Not only was he instrumental in forging this great nation, but his civic ideas on our communities across the country still are fundamental in our society today. While in school, practically all children learn about the legend of Benjamin Franklin proving the existence of electricity, creating bifocals and others- what more can be said, he is an incredible, larger than life figure.


Some of the great ideas Benjamin Franklin had affects us profoundly today. He was instrumental in ensuring that streets were clean, lit and paved. He started the first fire department (called a fire company) and started the first hospital that took care of patients that were ill and injured. In addition, Benjamin Franklin helped start the first library, where the entire community can have access to books and knowledge. These are just some of the great accomplishments of this man.


For those that love this period in America and to learn the many accomplishments that Benjamin Franklin achieved during specific parts of his life, Smithsonian Magazine has available an interesting article. Visit Smithsonian Magazine today to read more about this larger than life figure that truly made a difference for practically every American that came after. You can visit Smithsonian Magazine at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Sunday, July 13, 2008

Benjamin Franklin: A Great American

One of the most fascinating American historical figures is Benjamin Franklin. There are few men that have done more to enrich our country than him. He was born into relatively modest means in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706. Being the 17th child born in his family, it was not easy for him to get his share of attention and nurturing, however Benjamin Franklin was born with plenty of great attributes and although he attended just one year of school as a child, he developed not only a love of reading and knowledge, but plenty of curiosity as well.


Benjamin Franklin is famous for so many wonderful contributions he gave to this country and people around the world. He was instrumental in many civic projects such as championing paved, clean and lit city streets and even started the first fire department- called the Fire Company in Philadelphia.


In addition, besides the Philadelphia Fire Company, Benjamin Franklin also was instrumental in founding the first library called the Library Company in 1731. During this period, the idea of a library was a revolutionary idea. Members combined their money to purchase lots of books which were then lent out. If you think a fire department and library were great ideas, Benjamin Franklin also formed the Pennsylvania Hospital where sick and injured citizens of Philadelphia could receive proper care. Benjamin Franklin in an incredible historical figure, to learn more about his wonderful contributions to this country and the world, please visit Smithsonian’s magazine site at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


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Monday, June 30, 2008

The Life and Contributions of Benjamin Franklin

Born in Boston on January 17, 1706, Benjamin Franklin was the 17th child born to a huge Massachusetts family. Though his family didn’t have the resources to give Benjamin the life he wanted, Benjamin Franklin had gifts enough of his own. Though he was able to attend just one year of school as a child, he developed the love of reading that he would later be famous for… and that would soon dictate his future.


At the age of 12, Franklin took his love of the written word into an apprenticeship to his brother, who worked as a printer. Benjamin Franklin worked long hours composing pamphlets, setting type, and advertising products. But long hours at unrewarding work wasn’t enough for Franklin, and he soon ran away from Boston, eventually finding work on his own as a printer in Philadelphia.


Benjamin Franklin soon found that he was far better at the job than his own boss, who was the owner of the printing business in which he was employed. Not one to complain, he decided to borrow some money, instead, and set up a printing shop of his own. He also bought a newspaper, and began to print his own work, including the famous Poor Richard’s Almanack, which became the source of many of Franklin’s most famous --and wisest-- quotes.


Benjamin Franklin’s Contributions to Philadelphia

Soon after making himself a success as a printer, Benjamin Franklin started to look for ways to truly make a difference. During the 1730’s and 40’s, Franklin started various civic projects throughout Philadelphia to pave, clean, and light the city streets. Because fires were one of the most serious threats to the citizens of the city, he also founded a Philadelphia fire department (called a fire company).


During the 1730’s, 40’s and 50’s, it seems that Benjamin Franklin never rested. He started the Library Company in 1731. At the time, the Philadelphia library was a revolutionary idea, where members combined their money together in order to buy and share books from England. Twenty years later, after worrying about the sick and injured citizens of Philadelphia not getting the proper care, he formed the Pennsylvania hospital. And in between accomplishing amazing things, he created inventions and took part in the community; he never rested.


Benjamin Franklin’s Contributions to American Politics

Benjamin Franklin did more for America than almost any other figure in the country’s history. He was one of the biggest advocates for American independence, and even moved to England for 20 years to represent Pennsylvania in the fight for independence. In 1776, Benjamin Franklin helped write, and then signed, the Declaration of Independence. Afterward, he sailed to France to ask the country to help America in its fight for freedom; and they did. It’s partially because of Benjamin Franklin that the country is free today.


Benjamin Franklin was an incredibly well-loved figure during his own time, and continues to be in ours. To learn more about Benjamin Franklin and his fight for American Independence, visit the Smithsonian Magazine website at http://www.smithsonianmag.com

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Monday, June 23, 2008

Benjamin Franklin an American Legend

Benjamin Franklin is obviously one of America’s beloved figures and founding fathers. One of the reasons this country is great is that we were fortunate to have so many capable, intelligent and innovative individuals shaping this country. Now more than ever, the lessons the founding fathers espoused are extremely important and in particular the history of Benjamin Franklin is particularly interesting.


While there are so many aspects of Benjamin Franklin that are fascinating and interesting, one aspect of his life that is covered by the Smithsonian Magazine is his return from England in 1775. Before this time, Benjamin Franklin kept his political beliefs mainly to himself, however as the American colonies stood on the verge of independence Benjamin Franklin’s political ideas finally were known.


Benjamin Franklin, is one of our most well-known historical figures, however many of his thoughts and ideas on a wide range of subjects is not well known outside of history enthusiasts circles. The period starting with his return from England is an engrossing time period to read about and Smithsonian Magazine offers quite a wealth of insight and ideas on what made this man one of the wisest this country has ever seen.


For more information regarding Benjamin Franklin, please visit the Smithsonian Magazine today at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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