What All History Lovers Should Know About Benjamin Franklin

3. Franklin Nearly Died In A Fire

Like with most people of his time, Benjamin Franklin enjoyed going to see shows. During his time, he saw many plays in theaters and opera houses. However, one performance in 1781 would almost cause his death. As Benjamin Franklin was enjoying the show with the rest of the crowd, a fire started in the theater. Of course, it became chaos as people were trying to leave and Franklin, along with many others, barely escaped the burning building, which was destroyed by the fire.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

2. Benjamin Franklin Was A Librarian

Benjamin Franklin not only started the first volunteer fire department in Pennsylvania, but he also started the first lending library. In 1731, Benjamin Franklin founded the Library Company of Philadelphia. This library was a bit different than what we know of libraries today, but it did create the foundation for the modern-day free public libraries. Franklin not only served as a librarian for the library, but he also served as the library’s secretary from 1746 until 1757.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

First lending library known as the Library Company of Philadelphia by Charles Mills murals. Benjamin Franklin History.

1. Franklin Created An Arm To Reach Books

Throughout his life, Benjamin Franklin had a love for books and what would become known as libraries. While Benjamin Franklin was not a short person, his height was about 5 feet, 9 inches; he still had trouble reaching books that were on the top shelves. Therefore, Franklin did what he knew to do and invented contraception which would help him reach these books. Franklin invented a mechanical arm which someone could wear that would allow them to help get the books on the top shelves.

Where did we find this stuff? Here are our sources:

“Benjamin Franklin and His Son, Divided by Independence.” Matthew Simpson, New Republic. July 2017.

“Abolitionist.” PBS.

“Franklin’s Glass Harmonica.” The Franklin Institute.

“Benjamin Franklin’s illegitimate son William was exiled to Britain because of his Loyalist activities during the American Revolutionary War.” Ian Harvey, Vintage News. March 2017.

“Benjamin Franklin Facts.” Fact Slides.

“33 Things You Never Knew About Benjamin Franklin.” All That’s Interesting. July 2017.

“Ben Franklin and Chess.” Batgirl, Chess. August 2013.

“Renovation of Benjamin Franklin’s home reveals 1200 human bones in his basement.” Ian Harvey, Vintage News. June 2016.

“Benjamin Franklin, Friend of Libraries.” Larry T. Nix, The Library History Buff. January 2012.

<< Previous