Chapter Six and Chapter Seven Summary and Analysis

Chapter Six examines Franklin's life as a scientist in Philadelphia from 1744-1751. Though his experiments are mostly driven by curiosity, he always tries to find a practical application for them, like the Pennsylvania Fireplace. He invents the first urinary catheter for his brother John and is the first to scientifically predict the weather. Franklin's work with electricity is the cornerstone of his scientific research and many of his coined terms are still used in the modern world. He begins storing electricity he generates in Leyden Jars, even creating the first battery by wiring the glass plates together. Before Franklin's work, lightening is considered supernatural or an act of God and church bells are rung to attempt to fend it off. Franklin realizes that lightening is drawn to the church bells and suggests the...