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When Benjamin Franklin saw an
electrician perform, he wanted to get in
on the fun. So he started experimenting
with electricity. Then a revolutionary
idea struck him. Maybe zigzagging
lightning bolts were the same as the
small sparks he was creating in his
workshop. Maybe lightning was triggered
by static electricity.
Bet you know what Ben did next.
That’s right. He risked his life.
Flying a kite in a thunderstorm is a BAD idea. But Ben did
it anyway. When he saw loose threads on his kite string pop
straight up, he got excited. So he moved his hand toward the
key. ZAP! Ben felt a shock. And he saw a bright spark. That’s
when Ben knew he was right.
The Key
and the Kite
