His friends and peers thought he was crazy!
The sky over Philadelphia was slate gray, an ominous canvas rumbling with thunder that seemed to shake the very foundation of where he stood. Benjamin Franklin, almost fifty years old now, stood resolute in the swirling wind, his gaze never leaving the looming thunderheads as they crackled and flickered. Most would have hurried indoors, seeking warmth and safety; but Franklin felt a sense of exhilarating curiosity rising in his chest. Today, he would chase the lightning.
Armed with a simple kite made of cedar and silk, a damp string, and a small iron key, Franklin set out to prove a revolutionary idea: that lightning was nothing more than a dramatic display of electricity.
In truth, a kite and twine were humble instruments for so lofty an ambition: to prove this theory, once and for all. And the key was just a convenient piece of conducting metal he needed for the experiment.
Franklin’s son, William, watched with a mixture of awe and trepidation. He tried to steady himself as the wind threatened to whisk the kite away. Other scholars had risked their lives studying electricity. Some had not survived their experiments, but Franklin refused to be dissuaded. His son was less certain.
The Moment That Changed History
Franklin’s eyes danced with an anticipation. As the first thunderclap roared overhead, Franklin launched his kite into the sky. His son, William, watched with a mix of awe and fear. Other scientists had died in their pursuit of understanding electricity, but Franklin pressed on. This was not mere spectacle, but the culmination of years of thought, trial, and error.
The storm raged, the wind howled, and the kite became harder to see against the darkening sky. Because of Franklin’s significantly impaired eyesight, and not quite knowing what to expect, he worried something would happen and he might not be able to see it. Later in life, he would invent bifocals.
Yet Franklin never wavered. He could sense the energy in the air. He just knew that something was about to happen. The tension in the line grew, and Franklin felt his heart hammer in his chest, and then ....
BOOM! The chaotically brilliant lightning made its appearance and announced it was showtime!
A flash of lightning struck. Sparks leaped from the iron key. A sharp crack filled the air. The small metal object sizzled with a strange, crackling sound. Franklin kept a tight hold, never averting his gaze. He felt the moment before he saw the result. Now soaked and trembling, could barely contain his excitement. His theory was correct and lightning was indeed a form of electricity!
This wasn’t just a scientific breakthrough. It was a moment that unlocked a secret of the natural world, paving the way for innovations that would shape modern life.
The Key That Unlocked the Future
This was more than a scientific breakthrough, it was a moment when nature’s greatest fury was bent to Franklin's will, and revealed a secret.
It's an interesting irony that an actual key was the piece conducting metal that made this possible. Franklin’s iron key wasn’t just a conductor of electricity, it was the key to understanding a force that would power cities, revolutionize industries, and change human civilization forever.
But what’s even more remarkable? Franklin, an entrepreneur, never sought to profit from his discoveries. He believed that knowledge should be shared freely, for the good of society. In that way, he was a pioneer of the open-source movement long before it even had a name. This happened centuries before Richard Stallman launched the Free Software Foundation and the GNU Project in 1983.
What Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Franklin’s Electricity Experiment
Despite what his family, friends, and peers thought, Benjamin Franklin certainly wasn’t crazy. He was an innovator. And the way he approached science is the same way business owners should approach growth. Just as scientists test hypotheses to discover new breakthroughs, business owners must experiment with new strategies, products, and processes to stay competitive.
Experimenting in business is crucial because it:
Drives Innovation: Testing new ideas leads to breakthroughs and business improvements.
Encourages Adaptability: Businesses that experiment can respond to market changes faster.
Provides Data-Driven Insights: Making decisions based on real-world scenarios reduces risk and increases the chance of success..
Fail Forward: Turns failure into learning opportunities. Not every experiment succeeds, but every attempt provides valuable lessons.
Just as Franklin tested his theory in the face of skepticism, business owners must be willing to take calculated risks, challenge assumptions, and refine strategies. The most successful companies,, whether startups or industry giants, are those that embrace experimentation.
Unlock Your Business Potential By Experimenting
Franklin’s experiment wasn’t just about electricity. It was about curiosity, resilience, and the power of testing ideas.
So, the next time you’re faced with a bold new idea, or a nagging problem you haven't been able to solve, ask yourself: What would Franklin do? He’d test his theory. He’d learn from it. And ultimately, he’d unlock something revolutionary. Something that might just electrify your business, or put a jolt into your sales.
Are you ready to experiment in your business? The next great breakthrough could be yours!
Bemjamin Franklin was not elected president, but we was a prolific entrepreneur and consdered a founding father of the United States. Check out these other founding fathers, and a few presidents, who were also successful entrepreneurs.
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