An investment in knowledge pays the best interest
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.
Electrical Science
Science · 40y
Printing
Tools · 60y
Diplomacy
Education · 50y
Invention
Tools · 55y
Safe indoor demonstration of static electricity, Leyden jars, and electrical conduction. We will NOT be flying kites in thunderstorms. I did that once and it was phenomenally reckless. Instead, we'll ...
€15 per_session
My most beautiful invention. 37 glass bowls mounted on a spindle, turned by a foot pedal, played with wet fingers. Mozart and Beethoven both composed for it. The sound is unearthly -- people fainted a...
€25 per_day
I got tired of switching between two pairs of glasses -- one for reading, one for distance. So I cut the lenses in half and combined them. Revolutionary? No. Practical? Enormously. This workshop cover...
€12 per_session
Cast iron replica of the Pennsylvania Fireplace. More efficient than an open fireplace -- the baffle system circulates warm air into the room instead of up the chimney. I refused to patent it. Some th...
€15 per_day
Small group (max 6). I'll teach you how to write clearly, persuade effectively, and publish for maximum impact. I wrote Poor Richard's Almanack for 25 years. Sold 10,000 copies a year. 'Early to bed a...
€18 per_session
Exported from BorrowHood · 2026-03-09