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T48Media LLC - HGM Books
Opinions and Conjectures Concerning the Properties of Electrical Matter
Opinions and Conjectures Concerning the Properties of Electrical Matter
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”The Electrical Matter consists of Particles extreamly subtile, since it can permeate common Matter, even the densest Mettals, with such Ease and Freedom, as not to receive any perceptible Resistance.”
So starts Franklin his discussion of electricity in “Opinions.” The emerging and revolutionary idea of electricity as a fluid is clear in his argument and interpretation of findings (the “Stream of Electrical Effluvia”). This text is one of the earliest examples of an American scientific article, that was considered path-breaking by contemporaries and established Franklin as one of the foremost scientists, and scientific writers of his time. Franklin further: “The beneficial Uses of this Electrical Fluid we are not yet well acquainted with; tho’ doubtless such there are and great ones.”
This eBook contains the full text of the original, and keeps Franklin’s style and spelling. It is not mixed with commentaries or explanations.
Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705] – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A polymath, he was a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, political leader, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He formed both the first public lending library in America and the first fire department in Pennsylvania.
His inventions also included social innovations, such as paying forward. Franklin's fascination with innovation could be viewed as altruistic; he wrote that his scientific works were to be used for increasing efficiency and human improvement. One such improvement was his effort to expedite news services through his printing presses.
In recognition of his work with electricity, Franklin received the Royal Society's Copley Medal in 1753 and in 1756 he became one of the few 18th- century Americans to be elected as a Fellow of the Society.
“And as in Plucking the Hairs from the Horse’s Tail, a Degree of Strength, insufficient to pull away a Handful at once, could yet easily strip it Hair by Hair; so a blunt Body presented, cannot draw off a Number of Particles at once; but a pointed one, with no greater Force, takes them away easily, Particle by Particle.” (Franklin)
So starts Franklin his discussion of electricity in “Opinions.” The emerging and revolutionary idea of electricity as a fluid is clear in his argument and interpretation of findings (the “Stream of Electrical Effluvia”). This text is one of the earliest examples of an American scientific article, that was considered path-breaking by contemporaries and established Franklin as one of the foremost scientists, and scientific writers of his time. Franklin further: “The beneficial Uses of this Electrical Fluid we are not yet well acquainted with; tho’ doubtless such there are and great ones.”
This eBook contains the full text of the original, and keeps Franklin’s style and spelling. It is not mixed with commentaries or explanations.
Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705] – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A polymath, he was a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, political leader, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He formed both the first public lending library in America and the first fire department in Pennsylvania.
His inventions also included social innovations, such as paying forward. Franklin's fascination with innovation could be viewed as altruistic; he wrote that his scientific works were to be used for increasing efficiency and human improvement. One such improvement was his effort to expedite news services through his printing presses.
In recognition of his work with electricity, Franklin received the Royal Society's Copley Medal in 1753 and in 1756 he became one of the few 18th- century Americans to be elected as a Fellow of the Society.
“And as in Plucking the Hairs from the Horse’s Tail, a Degree of Strength, insufficient to pull away a Handful at once, could yet easily strip it Hair by Hair; so a blunt Body presented, cannot draw off a Number of Particles at once; but a pointed one, with no greater Force, takes them away easily, Particle by Particle.” (Franklin)
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