10 of Ben Franklin’s Lesser-Known Feats of Awesomeness (general, slave, American)

[sargentodiaz]

This is for that generation of American youth who are not being taught our history in school. And, when it is taught, educators try to make our founders out to be miserable slave owners who had no thoughts for the common man.

Well, thanks to Drew Curtis' FARK, this article should put old Ben in the light of truth.

He not only flew the kite – he invented the rocking chair!!!

Read more @ http://mentalfloss.com/article/29762...ts-awesomeness

[joe from dayton]

The problem with articles like this is that they always contain partial truths or falacies. You need to be careful of anything that says, "one scholar" because that is generally code for "not a commonly held opinion among scholars."

Historians widely accept that Franklin did not invent the rocking chair. Nor did he invent the odometer, the use of which predates Christ. He invented "AN" odometer for his carriage. He was a great stateman and inventer, but people misattribute things to him.

[Old Gringo]

Originally Posted by sargentodiaz

This is for that generation of American youth who are not being taught our history in school. And, when it is taught, educators try to make our founders out to be miserable slave owners who had no thoughts for the common man.

Listening to hate radio and watching biased news channels leads one to be miserable.

And mistaken.

Well, thanks to Drew Curtis' FARK, this article should put old Ben in the light of truth.

He not only flew the kite – he invented the rocking chair!!!

Read more @ http://mentalfloss.com/article/29762...ts-awesomeness

Franklin was known in his own time more as a scientist and inventor than a statesman.