Benjamin Franklin

Much is known about Franklin’s experiment with electricity. What isn’t known is how a local law officer thought Franklin had been drinking, the rationale being “What fool would be flying a kite in this weather?” Franklin, of course, had been drinking, but he anticipated the possible confrontation. As he saw the officer approaching, he popped a piece of candy in his mouth. The officer asked if Franklin had been drinking, and Franklin denied any imbibing. At this point, the only thing the officer could do was to perform an 18th century breathalyzer test, commonly referred to as “sniffing around.” Franklin’s candy masked the scent, and the officer left Franklin alone. Later, Franklin made the recipe for his ‘candy’ available to the public, and the public loved it. To this day, the Franklin Mint is as popular as ever. But not as tasty.

The original bifocals had very thick lenses, and they were also very cumbersome to wear. Oddly, wearers often found if they drank ale, the glasses tended to make certain women or men appear very attractive. Though the glasses were impractical to wear for the general populace, they were a big hit at the University of Pennsylvania. The ‘Fanny Focals’, or ‘Glee Glasses’ eventually gave way to the name we know today as ‘Beer Goggles.’

The Franklin Stove, many believe, was developed to keep smoke from entering the home when a fire was lit. Actually, Franklin developed the stove so his band could come by and rehearse. Few know that Franklin was a popular tavern singer who appeared nightly at the “Toasted Wig’ in downtown Philadelphia. The band, primarily consisting of veterans from the Revolutionary War, was called Bennie and the Vets.

During the many long nights deliberating freedom and stuff, Franklin befriended James Madison and his wife, Dolly. Dolly, a very nice lady who wore beautiful capes, was partially deaf. One afternoon after a particularly long session on a notoriously cold Pennsylvania winter’s day, the fireplace went out unexpectedly and could not be restarted. Franklin, who hated the cold, was heard to exclaim, “We certainly could use some Dolly Madison capes in here.” Apparently, Dolly thought he said cakes, so she went home and baked some. And culinary history was made.