Electrical Kite E-book

                               1752
                        THE ELECTRICAL KITE

                       by Benjamin Franklin









Electronically Enhanced Text (c) Copyright 1996, World Library(R)



                     The Electrical Kite


  AS frequent mention is made in public papers from Europe of
the success of the Philadelphia experiment for drawing the electric
fire from clouds by means of pointed rods of iron erected on high
buildings, etc., it may, be agreeable to the curious to be informed
that the same experiment has succeeded in Philadelphia, though made
in a different and more easy manner, which is as follows.

  Make a small cross of two light strips of cedar, the arms so
long as to reach to the four corners of a large thin silk
handkerchief when extended; tie the corners of the handkerchief to
the extremities of the cross, so you have the body of a kite;
which, being properly accommodated with a tail, loop, and string,
will rise in the air, like those made of paper; but this being of
silk is fitter to bear the wet and wind of a thunder-gust without
tearing. To the top of the upright stick of the cross is to be
fixed a very, sharp-pointed wire, rising a foot or more above the
wood. To the end of the twine, next the hand, is to be tied a silk
ribbon, and where the silk and twine join, a key may be fastened.
This kite is to be raised when a thunder-gust appears to be coming
on, and the person who holds the string must stand within a door or
window, or under some cover, so that the silk ribbon may not be
wet; and care must be taken that the twine does not touch the frame
of the door or window. As soon as any of the thunder-clouds come
over the kite, the pointed wire will draw the electric fire from
them, and the kite, with all the twine, will be electrified, and
the loose filaments of the twine will stand out every way, and be
attracted by an approaching finger. And when the rain has wetted
the kite and twine, so that it can conduct the electric fire
freely, you will find it stream out plentifully from the key on the
approach of your knuckle. At this key the phial may be charged; and
from electric fire thus obtained, spirits may be kindled, and all
the other electric experiments be performed, which are usually done
by the help of a rubbed glass globe or tube, and thereby the
sameness of the electric matter with that of lightning completely
demonstrated.


                         The End