As we prepare for celebrating America’s Independence tomorrow, it’s worth taking a few minutes to think about the men and women who helped fight for American Independence and to build this nation. Here’s a rundown of what I consider to be the five best inventions of the Founding Fathers.
1. Benjamin Franklin’s Lightning Rod
For most of human history, lightning was a mystery – a force from the gods that, if it struck too close to home could result in fire and other hazards.
The lightning rod may seem like a simple invention, but it undoubtedly saved hundreds, if not thousands of lives, not to mention buildings. Considering how basic the understanding of electricity was at the time, it was truly a remarkable achievement and well-deserving of the top spot.
NOTE 7: lightning rod in the article is a grounded metallic rod set up on a structure (as a building) to protect it from lightning. Besides, it also refers to one that serves to divert attack from another or one that is a frequent target of criticism or focus of controversy.
2. Thomas Paine’s Sunderland Bridge
When most of us are bored, we might go out for a drink, or read a book, or play video games. When Thomas Paine was living in England for the last years of his mother’s life, he turned his mind to invention. Perhaps most impressive were his designs to build bridges using not stone or wood, but iron.
The Sunderland Bridge was only the second iron bridge ever built, and at the time of its construction was the largest bridge in the world. The bridge consisted of a single 240-foot span and took about three years to build, opening to the public in 1796. The bridge was renovated in 1857, but remained open until 1927, when it was replaced by the current bridge over the Wear.
3. Thomas Jefferson’s Cipher Wheel
As the first Secretary of State, one of Thomas Jefferson’s pressing concerns is the same as government’s today – how can communications be kept secret? There may not have been a Wikileaks back then, but there were plenty of partisan tabloids and pamphleteers who were always on the lookout for a story. Moreover, European postmaster routinely read all correspondence, so codes were a must. Jefferson’s solution to the problem of secrecy was the wheel cipher.
NOTE 6. be on the lookout for sth/sb refers to search for something or someone. For example: I’m always on the lookout for interesting new recipes.
4. Benjamin Franklin’s Bifocals
Benjamin Franklin was one of colonial America’s most prolific inventors (which is why he makes this list twice). He was also one of the first open source inventors. He refused to take out any patents on his inventions, even when they were almost thrust upon him, because he believed “that as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours, and this we should do freely and generously.” Franklin started wearing bifocals regularly after 1776 and may have used them as early as 1757.
NOTE 4: bifocals refer to glasses with lenses that are divided into two parts. The upper half is for looking at things far away and the lower half is for reading or for looking at things that are near.
NOTE 5: thrust sth upon sb means to force someone to accept or deal with something. Please note that the phrase is often used in passive tense. For example: The new religion was thrust upon the people by force.
