Benjamin Franklin's Science

Benjamin Franklin had extraordinary curiosity and a lifelong interest in “natural philosophy” or science because he thought that it was good to understand the laws of nature and that advances in science could lead to significant benefits for humankind. He created and disseminated new knowledge all his life, and he encouraged others to do the same. Franklin made fundamental contributions to meteorology, electricity, medicine, geology, and oceanography, and he invented practical devices ranging from the flexible catheter to bifocal glasses to the lightning rod. Eventually, Franklin's unique reputation as a natural philosopher was of considerable aid to him in the diplomatic and political arenas.