A lightning rod is a metal rod mounted on a structure to intercept a lightning strike and safely conduct the electrical discharge to the ground, protecting the building from fire or structural damage. Its invention is credited to more than one person working independently: the Czech priest and scientist Prokop Divis erected a grounded lightning rod in 1754 in what is now the Czech Republic, while the American statesman and scientist Benjamin Franklin developed and popularized his own design in the American colonies around the same period, and it was Franklin's version that became far more widely adopted across Europe and North America.
Facts
Disputed
YearSourced to the subject's own accountA Czech priest and scientist built an actual grounded lightning rod in 1754, five years after Franklin first conceived the pointed design in 1749; sources describe an ongoing debate over priority for the invention. SignificanceSourced to the subject's own accountFranklin's contribution significantly advanced the understanding and application of lightning protection systems, although the earlier conceptual work of others remains an important milestone in the history of electrical safety engineering. 1 Connections
In Field
Source Lightning Rod (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Lightning Rod (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHistory, British Empire subsection
the pointed lightning rod conductor (not grounded), also called a lightning attractor or Franklin rod, was conceived by Benjamin Franklin in 1749 as part of his groundbreaking exploration of electricity.
History section, opening paragraph
Franklin's contribution significantly advanced the understanding and application of lightning protection systems, although Divis's earlier conceptual work remains an important milestone in the history of electrical safety engineering.
In Field: Electrical Engineering, Categories
Electric arcs
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