Benjamin Franklin and the Kite Experiment

        June, 1752 The Franklin Institute | Philadelphia | energy: electricity

Benjamin Franklin waited for ideal stormy conditions to demonstrate the electrical nature of lightning. He used a silk kite, hemp and silk string, metal house key, and a Leyden jar to store electrical charge. The kite was not struck by lightning, but picked up ambient electrical charge in the storm. When a storm cloud neared, a spark was produced.