Website design By BotEap.comNational Fly a Kite Day is celebrated every year on June 15. On this day, many people across the United States lift their kites into the air. Despite this, many people do not realize the historical significance that this date commemorates.

Website design By BotEap.comOn June 15, 1752, Benjamin Franklin also decided to fly a kite. During this time period, Franklin conducted many experiments with electricity. As he described in his autobiography, Franklin often demonstrated static electricity to amazed audience members by building up a static charge in one jar and then transferring it to another jar.

Website design By BotEap.comIn 1752, some people thought that perhaps lightning and static electricity were essentially the same phenomenon. However, no one had definitively proven that this was the case. Franklin decided to find out.

Website design By BotEap.comThis is how he did it:

Website design By BotEap.comFranklin tied one end of a silken string to a kite and the other end passed through a key into a jar that was capable of storing an electrical charge. He then placed a dry silk ribbon on the key and stayed inside a barn to keep from getting wet. Since he was holding the tape dry, Franklin was able to avoid being electrocuted.

Website design By BotEap.comAfter a while, a storm cloud passed overhead and the negative electricity traveled up the silk thread, through the key, and into the jar. Franklin was able to confirm that the electricity had been transferred from the storm cloud to the key because when he touched it, he received an electric shock! This confirmed to him that static electricity and lightning are, in fact, the same thing.

Website design By BotEap.comFranklin used this newfound knowledge to invent the lightning rod. A major problem throughout history has been tall buildings being struck by lightning and burning down. By installing a lightning rod, lightning can be safely channeled to the ground. At the end of his life, Franklin’s own house was struck by lightning, but he had a lightning rod installed, so his own invention saved his house!

Website design By BotEap.comNational Kite Fly Day is a great time to celebrate and learn about Franklin’s tremendous achievement. However, flying a kite in a thunderstorm with a key attached is not recommended. In fact, Franklin was either very lucky or very careful that he survived. Many amateur admirers of Franklin who have attempted to replicate his experiment have been seriously electrocuted or killed.

Website design By BotEap.comSo on June 15, head to the park. Bring your family, bring a kite and have fun!