You may have searched for the “best energy supplier” for your home. Or the “cheapest electricity supplier.” But have you ever thought about the origins of electricity itself? One such story begins with an original electricity provider, Benjamin Franklin.
Today, January 17, marks the birthday of this jack-of-all-trades Founding Father. It’s true that no one person can claim to have discovered electricity. However, his contributions in the field cement his spot in the history of electricity.
Why is Ben Franklin considered a pioneering electricity provider?
Benjamin Franklin was born over 300 years ago in 1706 colonial Boston. After expanding his printing business in the colonies, he had earned enough money to retire at age 42. Around that time, he started conducting experiments with electricity that would eventually lead to what we now refer to as electric suppliers.
Franklin’s interest in electricity
Being a curious person and inventor (of bifocals, swim fins and the odometer, to name a few), Franklin started exploring electricity. Up until then, electricity had mostly been used in magic tricks to shock and delight people. However, an electricity provider for home energy did not appear on anyone’s radar.
In 1750, he produced an important invention. Noting that lightning usually struck the highest point of a home, and that it could cause fires, Franklin invented the lightning rod. Fixed to a structure’s highest point, the rod would redirect the lightning’s current into the ground.
Then, Franklin conducted his famous kite experiment in 1752. This helped him show the connection between electricity and lightning.
In short, these and many other discoveries by Franklin helped advance knowledge and application of electricity. Thanks to this, we can now rely on an electricity provider to power our homes and businesses.
Fun facts about Ben Franklin, a pioneer for today’s electricity provider
Before there were energy providers for homes and businesses, there was Ben Franklin. A Founding Father, writer, inventor … he led a truly interesting life.
Fun facts about Ben Franklin
- Franklin dropped out of school at age 10 to help in his father’s candle and soap shop
- Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack, containing weather predictions, poetry, recipes, advice, proverbs and more, made him very wealthy.
- Franklin started the first volunteer fire department in America
- In 1785, Franklin became the wealthiest person in the newly formed U.S.
- Franklin played chess competitively and earned a place in the Chess Hall of Fame in 1999
Compare your modern electricity provider options with Everything Energy
Now here we are in present-day Texas, enjoying the fruits of Ben Franklin’s (and many others’) labor. For residential electricity that keeps your home comfortable and your life moving, Everything Energy has you covered. Shop for an electricity provider and plan using our free tools today. Just enter your ZIP code to get started!