Benjamin Franklin conducted a famous kite experiment during a thunderstorm to prove that lightning and electricity were the same. He attached a key to a kite and flew it high enough to attract lightning without being too close. When the kite was struck by lightning, it proved that lightning was indeed a form of electricity. This discovery allowed Franklin to invent the lightning rod to protect houses from being struck by attaching a tall metal rod to roofs that safely directed lightning to the ground.

1. FAMOUS
HISTORICAL
EVENTS
ANIMATED!
Benjamin Franklin And Electricity

2. • Before Benjamin
Franklin’s Kite
experiment, people
didn’t know electricity
and lightning were the
same thing.
• Franklin (and other
scientists) had noticed
the similarities
between electricity
and lightning but no
one had proven they
were the same!
Both create light, make
loud crashes when
they explode, and are
attracted to metal.

3. • Franklin came up with a
plan to prove that
lightning and electricity
were the same thing.
• He attached a key to a
kite and flew it during a
thunderstorm. Franklin
did this because he
knew he needed to be
high enough to attract
the lightning (without
physically being that
close).

4. • Franklin’s plan was a
success!
• This lead to Franklin
inventing the lightning
rod, a tall metal rod
attached to the highest
portion of a house that
leads to the ground. The
lightning would strike this
rod instead of the
houses. This
discovery/invention
saved countless houses!
Yay my house
is saved!

5. Information From…
• http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/franklinb/aa_franklinb_
electric_1.html