Short
Stories
of Science and Invention
A
Collection of Radio Talks by
Charles F. Kettering
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Weekly, from
September 1942
to July
1945, Charles F. Kettering gave five-minute intermission talks about Science and Invention during the
radio broadcasts of the General
Motors Symphony of the Air.
Kettering
invented the first automobile
self-starter, and for 31 years directed a research laboratory
for General Motors.
These radio
talks are a fascinating
legacy from the mind of a prolific inventor. The obvious
anachronisms now add a historical perspective of the
war-time period in which they were written.
These web pages now preserve some
of the most popular stories for a new generation to read The
text and art come from a General Motors booklet of selected talks.
(Reprint, March 1959)
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35. "Poor Richard"
A Radio Talk by Charles F. Kettering
When young Beethoven was beginning his
musical career at Bonn in 1783,
Doctor Benjamin Franklin,
ambassador from the newly born American
republic, was being welcomed in Paris. One was beginning his life work,
the other was at the zenith of his career - both were to leave their
imprints on the world to come.
Benjamin Franklin was born in a house on Milk Street in Boston. Today
we would say young Franklin was dynamic, for at the age of 17 his
energy took him from Boston via New York to Philadelphia.
Later he was
sent to London to learn more about the printing business and to study
"natural philosophy" as "science" was called in those days.
When he
came back to Philadelphia, he set up a printing shop of his own and
published, among other things, "Poor Richard's Almanack" which still
ranks as one of the all-time best sellers.
In addition to printing, he invented a stove,
an improved outdoor lamp,
and promoted paved streets in an attempt to raise the sanitary
standards of the American city. The Junto Club which he organized to
spread culture became probably America's first circulating library.
 
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