Benjamin Franklin

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A documentary film with the title Benjamin Franklin. It consists of a single reel of color 16mm acetate film with optical sound. The documentary explores the life and contributions of American “scientist, statesman, scholar and sage” Benjamin Franklin. It opens with a brief historical speculation about America's founding, before moving on to a discussion of Franklin's childhood and youth. The rest of the film focuses on some of Ben Franklin’s popular accomplishments and contributions, such as his career in publishing, and creation of a printery in Philadelphia; his development of the almanac; his creation of/contributions to a number of institutions, such as the subscription library, fire brigade, fire insurance, hospital, a militia, the now University of Pennsylvania; his contributions as postmaster general; his inventions, such as the odometer, storage battery, bifocal glasses; as well as some of his other scientific discoveries, such as the gulf stream and electricity.

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