Animated Hero Classics Benjamin Franklin: Scientist and Inventor (Season 1, Episode 4)
TV Episode | 30 min | Animation

Primary photo for Benjamin Franklin: Scientist and Inventor

Animated Hero Classics

Benjamin Franklin: Scientist and Inventor (Season 1, Episode 4)

TV Episode | 30 min | Animation

Benjamin Franklin knows that a traveling show "magician" is using an electromagnetic generating machine to perform the "tricks." Intrigued by the possibilities of electricity, Franklin buys the machine. On a wall at his home, hang ...See moreBenjamin Franklin knows that a traveling show "magician" is using an electromagnetic generating machine to perform the "tricks." Intrigued by the possibilities of electricity, Franklin buys the machine. On a wall at his home, hang Franklin's "many hats." He is- or has been - a diplomat, inventor, printer, postmaster and fire chief. Now he contemplates the power of electricity. He doesn't know what to do with it, but he knows it is important. "The power of the future," he says, "the friend of mankind." But right now mankind in Philadelphia is threatened by a series of thunderstorms. With regularity, lightning strikes, setting fires all over the town. Franklin's fire department, although equipped with the latest 18th Century fire-fighting equipment, is helpless against its power. Meanwhile, Franklin continues to play with electricity. He begins to understand how electricity flows from one place to another. Another lightning bolt sets fire to yet another house. Justice Hill declares that lightning is a "judgment from God against our wicked ways." Franklin, a man of deep faith and a man of science, doesn't think so. He observes that lightning tends to strike only the tallest buildings in an area. A short time later, on a night when lightning is setting fires everywhere, Franklin has a revelation. What if lightning were electricity? Then it might be controlled. Franklin conducts his famous experiment. Flying a kite in a thunderstorm, he confines the power of a lightning bolt in a leydon jar, a type of early storage battery. Now he knows how to control electricity. With lightning rods on top of their buildings and iron cables going down to the earth, the people of Philadelphia are protected. Written by Nest Family Entertainment See less

Contacts

+ Add

Become a member to see contact information for Benjamin Franklin: Scientist and Inventor.

Cast	+ Add Cast
8 cast members

Name	Known for
Alan Nash Ben Franklin (voice) Ben Franklin (voice) See fewer	Beyond and Back (1978)
Margaret Crowell Deborah (voice) Deborah (voice) See fewer	The Goodbye Bird (1993)
Bryan Gardner Dr. Spencer (voice) Dr. Spencer (voice) See fewer	Animated Hero Classics (1991)
Christopher P. Angelos William (voice) (as Christopher Angelos) William (voice) (as Christopher Angelos) See fewer	Animated Stories from the Bible (1987)
Dale Zabriskie John (voice) John (voice) See fewer	Animated Hero Classics (1991)
John Nicolaysen Hill (voice) Hill (voice) See fewer	Animated Stories from the New Testament (1987)
Eric Jensen Mr. Miller (voice) Mr. Miller (voice) See fewer	Animated Hero Classics (1991)
Jared Pauls Governor Keith (voice) Governor Keith (voice) See fewer	Animated Hero Classics (1991)

There was an issue loading this tab.

MOVIEmeter

Members only

Become a member to access additional data

Ratings Breakdown

Something went wrong. Try entering your rating again

+ Add external reviews

Animated Hero Classics

Contacts

Cast

MOVIEmeter

Ratings Breakdown

MAIN MENU

YOUR TOOLS

YOUR ACCOUNT

IMDbPro

Get rich industry data and stay informed

Animated Hero Classics

Contacts

Cast

MOVIEmeter

Ratings Breakdown

MAIN MENU

YOUR TOOLS

YOUR ACCOUNT

IMDbPro