Ben Franklin’sInventions

A Deep and Complex Look at a Renowned Polymath

Adapted by Mrs. Bland from The History Project – University of California - Davis

Key Questions – These questions should drive your pursuit of knowledge of Ben Franklin

• What are some of the inventions attributed to Benjamin Franklin?

• Which of his inventions has made the biggest impact in our world today?

Your Task…

1. After reviewing a summary of Franklin’s life and achievements, you will research Ben Franklin’s accomplishments that relate to your study of invention.

2. You will analyze his work and evaluate its impact on American life by completing a scoring rubric for each invention.

3. You will create a survey for 10 adults to complete ranking his inventions.

4. Finally you will create a written/visual presentation on what you believe to be Ben Franklin’s greatest invention.

Ben Franklin (1706-1790)• Define polymathhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymath

Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.

• Read the following article and then use headphones to view the video (6:53). Make notes on Ben Franklin’s contributions in the above mentioned fields. Write and answer three questions of your own to further explore about Ben Franklin.

http://www.ducksters.com/biography/ben_franklin.php

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e19JDtIE0cA

•

Which one of Benjamin Franklin’s scientific

inventions is most

important in today’s world?

Make a list of Benjamin Franklin’s inventions and evaluate them with a

score of 1 to 5 using each of the categories listed below.

(1 - the lowest and 5 - the highest)

• The invention changed how people lived.

• The invention made other things possible.

• The invention was copied by other people beyond the colonies.

• The invention was unusual or unique.

• The invention is still in use today.

http://historyproject.ucdavis

Ben’s Inventions

• http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/l3_inquiring_little.html

• http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/famous-inventors/10-ben-franklin-inventions.htm

• https://www.fi.edu/history-resources/franklin

Write a brief explanation of each invention before conducting your evaluation.

As postmaster, Franklin was concerned with providing fast and efficient service. He wanted to measure the distance between certain points so that he might establish more efficient postal routes. For this purpose, he devised an odometer that attached to his carriage. By counting the rotations of the wheels, it calculated the distance the carriage traveled.What was Ben Franklin’s motive for creating the odometer?

What impact did it have on the automobile industry?

The Odometer

Text copied from: historyproject.ucdavis.

Example:

Create a Rubric for Each Invention

• Odometer

• Changed how people live ______

• Made other things possible ______

• Copied by other groups ______

• Unusual or unique ______

• Still used today ______

• Total ______

Task #2

Wit and Wisdom

Poor Richard's Almanac is one of the many lasting contributions of Ben Franklin. It gained great popularity due to Franklin’s aphorisms, or short, witty statements about life. Many of

these are still quoted today.

• Research his aphorisms and choose one to create a poster illustrating its meaning.

• http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/benjamin_franklin.html