Benjamin Franklin
He was a printer who dabbled in electricity, a statesman who enjoyed pranks, and a philosopher who stepped into pretty much anything that wasn’t nailed down. He was that one friend who has 47 side projects, starts them all with confidence, and actually finishes them – while also founding a country.
#quotes
"... 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."
#lessons
Self-education works – if you're brutally honest with yourself.
#quotes
"Well done is better than well said."
#whatif
...had access to the internet?
#quotes
"If you would keep your Secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend."
#quotes
Let me add, that only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.
@story
Following his father's professional footsteps, Benjamin's elder brother entered printing and publishing with his own newspaper. Benjamin was 15 at the moment. What he had were two years of school education, a great interest in reading, and a huge amount of self-taught knowledge. What he needed was practical experience in any field which could bring him practical skills and, preferably, money – his father Josiah was aiming to teach all his children to earn their living.
Josiah Franklin was actually cherishing a dream of seeing Benjamin as a minister (oh, Sir, if you could only wait for a few decades more!) but could not give his son more than numerous materials to read and total encouragement at the moment.
Nevertheless, it would be his father's trick which would give Benjamin wings.
The man asked Benjamin's brother working on the newspaper to accept his younger brother as an apprentice. Agreed. Good in his role, Benjamin also constantly provided his brother with new materials to be published but it never happened – he would reject everything. That's when the young's man sharp mind got its golden hour.
Benjamin came up with a pen name and a whole legend about the character. 14 letters to describe a middle-aged widow's life and her thoughts on modern political and social movements were appearing at his brother's doors during months. And were accepted for the newspaper! The readers were astonished. Some even proposed to the lady...
And that' when Benjamin decided enough was enough. It was he who wrote all the letters and made the story up.
His brother was furious at discovering the truth but could undo nothing. Lady Silence Dogood was already the name, though Benjamin was asked to leave the editorial group and never come back. Young and ambitious, he then left Boston to Philadelphia...
@story
In Philadelphia, then a growing city of "about 700 dwelling houses," Franklin witnessed one of the most devastating fires in the city's history. To his surprise, in contrast to what he had seen in Boston, there was no fire service.
"It's not how the things should work!" the young man from Massachusetts thought.
Franklin's Bucket Brigade or FBB (not to be confused with FBI!) was the first organisation of its kind. Run entirely by volunteers, ready to help its members as well as non-members, based on the strong need and pure initiative, FBB became the first fire department in the city. Each member, including Benjamin Franklin, was strictly ascribed a specific role to make fire handling as effective as possible.
As a result, the city lost just a few houses to fire (compared to dozens in other locations). These were the times when being a firefighter became one of the most honourable activities one could have – hence, not only the Brigade grew but has lived till today as Philadelphia Fire Department.
It was, of course, very helpful that at that time Franklin had already been the editor and publisher of his own newspaper for seven years! To push the process, he initially started with a series of articles arguing for changes, while the results could speak for themselves. A great example of how a private initiative merged with effective journalism can contribute to the local community, isn't it?
@book
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