HISTORY
Benjamin Franklin and the development of the lightning rod
Franklin’s electrical experiments changed how lightning was understood. The familiar kite story is only part of that history.
This article preserves the topic and URL of Terra’s existing blog post while updating technical claims against cited sources.
What happened in 1752?
According to the Smithsonian, Franklin proposed investigating atmospheric electricity with a tall metal rod in 1750. Building on that idea, Thomas-François Dalibard carried out an experiment in France in May 1752. Franklin reported similar results with a kite later that year.
Was the kite struck by lightning?
The Smithsonian explains that the aim was not to attract a direct lightning strike; active lightning was not required. Its historical account also notes inaccuracies in many popular depictions of the experiment.
How does this relate to today’s products?
Franklin’s design and promotion of lightning rods contributed to the development of structural lightning protection. Product selection today cannot follow a historical example alone: the structure, conduction path, grounding and applicable project requirements need to be considered together.