The Lightning Rod was created at a time when people were very superstitious. Lightning was something that was ordained by God. It caused fires and sunk ships. But the lightning rod rendered all of that completely harmless. But it was not magical, though it appeared so.
The lightning rod is inherently very simple. It works by conducting the power of the lighting bolt to the ground, through itself and then wires along the structure. But, in order for Franklin to create it, he had to have a very clear understanding of electricity. Franklin, and many scientists before him, performed numerous experiments over years before the design of the lightning rod came about.
The lightning rod is such a great invention because it allows our skyscrapers to stand. But, at the same time, it is such a basic device one is amazed how much understanding and study went into creating it. But when you look at it you see how something very basic can come from something that is complicated, (electricity) and can literally change the fate of the world.
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