When he reached the age of forty, Franklin, in 1746, began his electrical studies. We all know the story of his experiment with the kite and key. But his work to determine the positive and negative character of electricity, his improvements on the Leyden jar and his invention of the lightning rod may not be so well known.

      The lightning rod is a good illustration of the direct thinking of Franklin's - which was at odds with the prolific theorizing in those days. He expressed it this way, "Utility is in my opinion the only test of value in matters of invention."

By 1749, he wanted to devote his entire time to science but events in this country changed his whole life. The threat of the French and Indian alliance suggested a defensive measure to Franklin, and he drew up a plan for the colonies to unite under a single government. But the Colonial Assemblies turned it down on the basis that such a central government would have too much power, and in England they thought the idea entirely too democratic.

     In less than 30 years however, the Assemblies did adopt it. For this reason, Balzac credited Franklin with inventing the idea of the United States.