#WeirdFacts #BenjaminFranklin #AirBaths
🤯 Did you know “TIL Benjamin Franklin used to sit around naked for extended periods to take air baths”? Yes, you read that right! The eccentric founding father was a strong believer in the benefits of fresh air on the body and would often indulge in this unusual practice. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to surprising facts about Benjamin Franklin. In this article, we’ll delve into some lesser-known tidbits about this fascinating historical figure that will leave you shocked and amazed.
###Who Was Benjamin Franklin?
Before we dive into the weird and wonderful facts about Benjamin Franklin, let’s take a moment to get to know the man himself. Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States, a renowned polymath, inventor, scientist, author, and diplomat. He played a key role in the American Revolution and was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. But beyond his political achievements, Franklin was also known for his quirky habits and unique personality.
###Weird Fact #1: Air Baths
As mentioned earlier, Benjamin Franklin was a big fan of air baths. He believed that exposing his body to fresh air would improve his overall health and wellbeing. He would often sit naked for extended periods in his home or garden, basking in the natural elements. While this practice may seem strange to us today, Franklin swore by its benefits, claiming that it helped him feel more energized and rejuvenated.
###Weird Fact #2: Swimming
Another quirky habit of Benjamin Franklin was his love of swimming. He was an avid swimmer and believed that regular dips in cold water were essential for good health. Franklin even invented a pair of hand paddles to help improve his swimming technique. He would often swim in the rivers near his home, using his custom paddles to glide through the water with ease.
###Weird Fact #3: The Glass Harmonica
In addition to his more unusual habits, Benjamin Franklin was also a prolific inventor. One of his lesser-known creations was the glass harmonica, a musical instrument made of glass bowls of varying sizes. Franklin believed that the instrument’s ethereal tones had a calming effect on the mind and body. Unfortunately, the glass harmonica fell out of favor due to fears of lead poisoning from the glass bowls, but its unique sound lives on in classical music compositions.
###Weird Fact #4: Electric Kite Experiment
Of course, no discussion of Benjamin Franklin would be complete without mentioning his famous electric kite experiment. In 1752, Franklin flew a kite during a thunderstorm, using a key attached to the string to capture electricity from the lightning. This groundbreaking experiment proved that lightning was a form of electricity and paved the way for future discoveries in the field of electricity.
###Weird Fact #5: Library Loans
Benjamin Franklin was a huge proponent of libraries and believed in the power of education and knowledge. In fact, he was instrumental in founding the first public lending library in the United States, the Library Company of Philadelphia. Franklin saw libraries as a way to empower individuals and promote lifelong learning, a legacy that continues to this day.
In conclusion, Benjamin Franklin may have been a brilliant statesman and inventor, but he was also a man of many quirks and eccentricities. From his love of air baths to his electric kite experiment, Franklin’s life was full of fascinating and surprising moments. So the next time you think you know everything about this historical figure, remember that there’s always more to discover.
So there you have it, a closer look at some of the weird and wonderful facts about Benjamin Franklin. Hopefully, this article has sparked your curiosity and shed some light on the lesser-known aspects of this iconic figure. Who knew that behind the stately portrait on the hundred-dollar bill was a man who enjoyed taking air baths and swimming in the rivers? Benjamin Franklin truly was a man ahead of his time.
Source: https://www.historyoasis.com/post/benjamin-franklins-air-baths