Benjamin Franklin Fun Facts

Did you know...

...that when Benjamin Franklin was only 16 years old, he began to submit letters to his brother's newspaper "The New England Courant" (the first newspaper in Boston) under the ficitonal name of "Silence Dogood"? Knowing that his brother would never allow him to publish anything, Ben Franklin wrote letters using this fictional name. "Mrs. Dogood" wrote very opinionated letters ridiculing the world around "her", including the treatment of women at the time. Silence Dogood became a very popular contributor to the newspaper, submitting at least 14 letters before Benjamin finally confessed to his brother that it was he who actually wrote them.

...that in 1729, Benjamin Franklin bought his own newspaper - the "Pennsylvania Gazette". With only 90 subscribers at the time he purchased it, Franklin turned it into a popular newspaper. In later years, the "Pennsylvania Gazette" became "The Saturday Evening Post".

...Silence Dogood wasn't Ben Franklin's only "nom de plume" (pen name). He first published the yearly "Poor Richard's Almanack" in 1732 or 1733, under the name of Richard Saunders. This gazette published weather reports and witty sayings, and quickly became very popular. The phrase "A penny saved is a penny earned" came from Richard Saunders, aka Benjamin Franklin. Years later some of the most popular sayings were collected and re-published in a book -

Poor Richard's Almanack Book - Printed Edition

Poor Richard's Almanack - Kindle Edition

More Fun Facts about Ben Franklin

...that Ben Franklin was an inventor? In 1749, he invented a device that he called the "Pennsylvania fireplace", which later became known as the "Franklin stove". He also made what is thought to be the first urinary catheter in America, as a way to help his brother, who was suffering from kidney stones. He made the first pair of "bifocals" by taking two of his spectacles, cutting them in half and placing half of each of the lens in each frame. The lens for distance vision was placed at the top, and the lens for close up vision was placed at the bottom.

...that while serving as Postmaster General in 1775, he devised an odometer that attached to his carriage, so that he track the mileage of the postal routes.

...that while he did not invent electricity, he did invent the lightening rod to help protect ships and buildings from lightening strikes.

Witty Sayings from Poor Richard's Almanack

"You cannot pluck roses without fear of thorns, Nor enjoy a fair wife without danger of horns."

"There will be sleeping enough in the grave."

"Take this remark from Richard poor and lame, Whate’er’s begun in anger ends in shame."

"Fools multiply folly."

"Three may keep a Secret, if two of them are dead."

"A Lie stands on 1 leg, Truth on 2."

"God heals, and the Doctor takes the Fees."

"Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."

"Where there’s Marriage without Love, there will be Love without Marriage."

"Don’t value a man for the Quality he is of, but for the Qualities he possesses."

Quote of the Week

"A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one." - Benjamin Franklin

Portrait of Benjamin Franklin by americanhistory
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Until next time....

Julie