70. Benjamin Franklin: Invention Personified

Benjamin Franklin is one of the founding fathers established the United States of America in the to late 18th Century. He has been described his 18th Century peers, and historians alike, as "First American." This is due to the fact Franklin played an integral part in creating a force in colonial America in defiance of British . Franklin wore many hats during his lifetime. He a politician, inventor, postmaster, scientist, and journalist. He as President of the state of Pennsylvania, U.S. of France, the first Postmaster General, and Speaker Pennsylvania.

Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 Boston, Massachusetts into a family of 10 children. family was working-class, so Franklin's rise to prominence not an easy one. His parents wanted Benjamin become a clergy member of their church, but the age of 12, Franklin began working as printer's apprentice with his older brother. This is Franklin learned the printing, and news trade that eventually lead to his Poor Richard's Almanac, and Philadelphia Gazette publications. This is where Franklin amassed considerable wealth.

Franklin was also a prolific inventor. is responsible for inventing such items as the stove, lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and a flexible . Part of America's popular lore has Franklin proving lightning has electrical properties by flying a kite a thunderstorm. This may, or may not have true, but his legend is firmly in place.

was a tireless separatist, and fought the English colonial independence with dogged tenacity. He made at two diplomatic trips to the British Isles to for colonial independence. Upon his return from the trip, the revolutionary war with England had already . He was one of the original signers of historic Declaration of Independence.