That time Benjamin Franklin tried (and failed) to electrocute a turkey

"I have lately made an Experiment in Electricity that I desire never to repeat."

Read the whole story

 

[a nonny moose]

And I thought that Benjamin liked turkeys. He wanted them to the be national bird.

that only required one.

 

[Maxipad]

The Founding Father once infamously electrocuted himself while trying to kill a turkey with electricity.

Nope. He shocked himself. Electrocution is a portmanteau of "electricity" and "execution," meaning if someone electrocutes themselves they die as a result.

It's good to be pedantic. It always makes things better. (And impresses everyone with your intelligence and "rightness".) Sort of like Sheldon on "Big Bang Theory".

A beloved characteristic.

 

[shelbystripes]

By raising men such as Franklin, Madison, Washington, Hamilton and others up onto pedestals of near super-human proportions, we do ourselves a great disservice that may cause us to despair that there are no such great men and women among us today. While it's true that there are none today who can measure up to societally-fashioned myth, we hobble ourselves if we insist that our leaders merely pretend to such noble heights.

This is what I was trying to say. I didn’t mean to diminish Ben Franklin’s accomplishments (and I don’t think I did).

It’s just too easily lost that these people were still human. At least some of us today could rise to the level of greatness they achieved, even if we’re as quirky and fucked up as they were.

 

[TokyoTurtle]

The Founding Father once infamously electrocuted himself while trying to kill a turkey with electricity.

Nope. He shocked himself. Electrocution is a portmanteau of "electricity" and "execution," meaning if someone electrocutes themselves they die as a result.

Correct.

And, to use the terminology made popular by Edison, Franklin was trying to Westinghouse turkeys.

Not quite... Westinghouse was a proponent of AC, while Edison liked DC. These experiments were essentially using static electricity, ie. direct current, so was not a Westinghousing of the turkeys.

That said, I feel that Edison would not have been above confusing the issue like this to further his own agenda.

 

[kaenneth]

And he devised a game dubbed "Treason," whereby he wired up a portrait of King George so that anyone who touched the monarch's crown would receive a shock.

Alright that's pretty funny.

That is my main takeaway from this article, by the way thanks for this article, is that he was very joyfull, even his scientifc persona, which was something I never contemplated before for his persona.

I've long thought that if I could invite one historical figure to a party, it would be him.

 

[Cat Killer]

And he devised a game dubbed "Treason," whereby he wired up a portrait of King George so that anyone who touched the monarch's crown would receive a shock.

Alright that's pretty funny.

That is my main takeaway from this article, by the way thanks for this article, is that he was very joyfull, even his scientifc persona, which was something I never contemplated before for his persona.

I've long thought that if I could invite one historical figure to a party, it would be him.

Just don't accept any drink that he offers you.

 

[BobsYourUncleBob]

By raising men such as Franklin, Madison, Washington, Hamilton and others up onto pedestals of near super-human proportions, we do ourselves a great disservice that may cause us to despair that there are no such great men and women among us today. While it's true that there are none today who can measure up to societally-fashioned myth, we hobble ourselves if we insist that our leaders merely pretend to such noble heights.

This is what I was trying to say. I didn’t mean to diminish Ben Franklin’s accomplishments (and I don’t think I did).

It’s just too easily lost that these people were still human. At least some of us today could rise to the level of greatness they achieved, even if we’re as quirky and fucked up as they were.

FWIW you didn't diminish Franklin in any way & I took your comment exactly as you'd intended.
I simply felt your comment worthy & salient enough to deserve modest amplification!

... Plus the final "Greatness is thrust (as if by chance) due to circumstance" paragraph that I added on edit. I mean, if one want's to consider the role of "chance" in history, just look at Churchill's contemporary, good King George VI's unlikely rise to the throne! Worked out pretty well for him, too!

 

[David Woodward]

I would so look forward to the graphic novel that teams Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin in "Attack of the Zombie Turkeys".

No turkeys involved, but I did enjoy Deadpool Dead Presidents.

The weirdest thing I have seen involving turkeys was the dead cat circling.

 

[Veritas super omens]

The description of the Ark of the Covenant fits as a Leyden jar like device. Mythbusters episode supports this.

 

[panton41]

The description of the Ark of the Covenant fits as a Leyden jar like device. Mythbusters episode supports this.

Is that why it can melt faces and cause heads to explode?

 

[Veritas super omens]

The description of the Ark of the Covenant fits as a Leyden jar like device. Mythbusters episode supports this.

Is that why it can melt faces and cause heads to explode?

Yes. Well that, and Spielberg's fertile mind.

 

[MNP]

The man had quite the obsession with Turkeys.

You sound judgy.

Recently about 25 wild Turkeys flocked at me a block from my house. I had to retreat due to numbers. It was mildly traumatic.

Afraid they were about to gobble you up?

More or less. I didn't want to run afowl of them so I had to quit my outing cold turkey.

 

[graylshaped]

I wonder if it's a more humane method to kill a turkey than the usual off with the head method. If you turn up the power after, you could even par cook it!

My grandma would walk out into the yard and wait. A chicken would wander by. She would grab it, and with ninja-like swiftness, break its neck, then hand it to my grandpa to clean.

Dinner was a few hours later.

 

[graylshaped]

And he devised a game dubbed "Treason," whereby he wired up a portrait of King George so that anyone who touched the monarch's crown would receive a shock.

Alright that's pretty funny.

That is my main takeaway from this article, by the way thanks for this article, is that he was very joyfull, even his scientifc persona, which was something I never contemplated before for his persona.

I've long thought that if I could invite one historical figure to a party, it would be him.

Him or Jefferson.

Jefferson, as the story goes, would bring good wine.

 

[Abhi Beckert]

The Founding Father once infamously electrocuted himself while trying to kill a turkey with electricity.

Nope. He shocked himself. Electrocution is a portmanteau of "electricity" and "execution," meaning if someone electrocutes themselves they die as a result.

Oxford defines the word as "injure or kill".

Given he was in pain for several days and had swelling, he was clearly injured and the use of the word is correct.

 

[Fritzr]

So a bunch of Leyden jars (in parallel, right? Not serial?) was enough to kill a 10 lbs. turkey? That would be one hell of a way to liven up Thanksgiving without involving debating your MAGA hat wearing uncle at the table. Too bad you'd have to clean and dress it afterwards.

"OK Martha, stand back..." *lights in house dim*

Nope, you would connect the Leyden jars (each equivalent to one cell in a battery) in series to get higher voltage. The higher voltage would be sufficient to cause enough current flow through the bird to kill it.

Connect 200 common 1.5v AA cells in parallel and you still get just 1.5v, but with enough capacity to power your one-AA gadget for 200 times as long. Connect them in series and you get 300v - enough to give you a considerable shock.

*******WARNING*******
DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME
Playing with batteries like this is extremely dangerous ... don't do it
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=9v ... ORM=VRDGAR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ousUTivJoaM

Cooking random foods (including using 300x9v battery arc welder to cut a pickle)
Excessive voltage does bad things if you strike an arc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSttQpQjvSE
DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME
*******WARNING*******



At the other extreme here is an emergency phone power supply that costs just pennies to make
There are more penny power videos on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIdPfDHeROI

A 9v DIY lighter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIETfoVT0LE



9v danger PSA courtesy of a local television news crew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75_f6CjIcz8

 

[dead_minger]

Just repeating what others have said, but fantastic article. Perfect blend of science and humor.

 

[AverageDutchGuy]

And I thought that Benjamin liked turkeys. He wanted them to the be national bird.

I'm sure he liked them very much, cooked, grilled or roasted

 

[SixDegrees]

The description of the Ark of the Covenant fits as a Leyden jar like device. Mythbusters episode supports this.

Or, it's just literary mythology without any basis in fact at all.

 

[Git-stompa]

Hahahahaha what a nerd

 

[ChrisSD]

The description of the Ark of the Covenant fits as a Leyden jar like device. Mythbusters episode supports this.

Or, it's just literary mythology without any basis in fact at all.

It was on Mythbusters so it must be true.

 

[Wheels Of Confusion]

The description of the Ark of the Covenant fits as a Leyden jar like device. Mythbusters episode supports this.

Or, it's just literary mythology without any basis in fact at all.

It was on Mythbusters so it must be true.

Only if it was Confirmed or Plausible. Then it's absolutely true.

 

[Cathbadhian]

And he devised a game dubbed "Treason," whereby he wired up a portrait of King George so that anyone who touched the monarch's crown would receive a shock.

Alright that's pretty funny.

That is my main takeaway from this article, by the way thanks for this article, is that he was very joyfull, even his scientifc persona, which was something I never contemplated before for his persona.

There was a John Adams mini-series some time ago, 2008??, and Franklin was depicted as a brilliant self-indulgent rogue who clearly enjoyed a good time. Great series all around - it's surprising that US history is a rare beast on TV.

 

[Deleted member 221201]

- it's surprising that US history is a rare beast on TV.

uh....are you missing the current historical reality show ?

 

[daveishereagain]

- it's surprising that US history is a rare beast on TV.

uh....are you missing the current historical reality show ?

Indeed we are living and observing history right before us. I fear the judgement of history will not paint a rosy picture as to the choices given us for the one who should lead us. We need more Ben Franklins and less Andrew Johnsons.

 

[llanitedave]

Leyden jar half full of water?

Could have been half empty.

 

[llanitedave]

And he devised a game dubbed "Treason," whereby he wired up a portrait of King George so that anyone who touched the monarch's crown would receive a shock.

Alright that's pretty funny.

That is my main takeaway from this article, by the way thanks for this article, is that he was very joyfull, even his scientifc persona, which was something I never contemplated before for his persona.

I've long thought that if I could invite one historical figure to a party, it would be him.

Him or Jefferson.

Jefferson, as the story goes, would bring good wine.

And Sally Hemings.

 

[Derecho Imminent]

The Founding Father once infamously electrocuted himself while trying to kill a turkey with electricity.

Nope. He shocked himself. Electrocution is a portmanteau of "electricity" and "execution," meaning if someone electrocutes themselves they die as a result.

Words don't mean what you believe them to mean, they mean what we collectively believe them to mean.

"to kill or severely injure by electric shock"

If you want to debate the severity of injury here, fine. But death is not required.

Yep. Its always a good idea before criticizing the usage of words to first look them up in the dictionary. The actual authority.

 

[nerdrage]

And he devised a game dubbed "Treason," whereby he wired up a portrait of King George so that anyone who touched the monarch's crown would receive a shock.

Alright that's pretty funny.

That is my main takeaway from this article, by the way thanks for this article, is that he was very joyfull, even his scientifc persona, which was something I never contemplated before for his persona.

I've long thought that if I could invite one historical figure to a party, it would be him.

My first thought on reading that headline was, Thanksgiving must have been a very lively event in the Franklin household....

 

[sporkinum]

Benjamin Franklin was also famous for being a dirty old man and his letter titled "Advice to a Friend on Choosing a Mistress" and role as the first Postmaster General was referenced in a SCOTUS decision involving mailing pornographic materials.

His advice was to choose older women because it's less of a scandal, they're more experienced and "They are so grateful."

That being said, I would not be surprised if he experimented with electricity sexually.

 

[password123]

I would so look forward to the graphic novel that teams Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin in "Attack of the Zombie Turkeys".

Aye that would be awesome, I nominate Bob Burden (of Flaming Carrot fame) to do the honors.

 

[Je-Tze]

Man, you word/language/grammar-nazi's just need to STFU sometimes.
Or at least before you go to 'correct' someone, read a damn dictionary! Electrocute means to kill or injure. It doesn't really matter what was intended at the time the word was created/introduced over a hundred years ago. Language evolves, get used to it. Reference materials are your friend.

TLDR: plz stop 'correcting' people until you actually know wtf you're talking about.

 

[Cassius Kray]

Words don't mean what you believe them to mean, they mean what we collectively believe them to mean.

That's just begging the question.

AAaaarrggh

 

[cactiform]

The description of the Ark of the Covenant fits as a Leyden jar like device. Mythbusters episode supports this.

As we are digressing into mythical devices, I always thought that the Ark of the Covenant might be an Orgone generator that actually works. Ha! Some similarities in published designs between the two devices except that as far as I know, no-one has ever sprung for gold sheeting to line the wood when trying to build an Orgone generator.
Or, you know, a container to store and carry some old stone tablets.

However, I can personally attest that the shock from an approximately one gallon Leydon jar fashioned from an old chemical bottle and Al foil is something not to be repeated. Also one gets a nasty burn at the point of entry of the juice which is perhaps a secondary consideration.

 

[graylshaped]

And he devised a game dubbed "Treason," whereby he wired up a portrait of King George so that anyone who touched the monarch's crown would receive a shock.

Alright that's pretty funny.

That is my main takeaway from this article, by the way thanks for this article, is that he was very joyfull, even his scientifc persona, which was something I never contemplated before for his persona.

There was a John Adams mini-series some time ago, 2008??, and Franklin was depicted as a brilliant self-indulgent rogue who clearly enjoyed a good time. Great series all around - it's surprising that US history is a rare beast on TV.

Was that the HBO one? Quite good. I wound up getting it on dvd.

Franklin published an essay called “Fart Proudly,” and is credited with inventing bifocals and, of course, the Franklin stove. It is also suggested he was fond of the ladies, and many think the label Father or Our Country befits him more than Washington.

 

[ZenBeam]

The description of the Ark of the Covenant fits as a Leyden jar like device. Mythbusters episode supports this.

As we are digressing into mythical devices, I always thought that the Ark of the Covenant might be an Orgone generator that actually works. Ha! Some similarities in published designs between the two devices except that as far as I know, no-one has ever sprung for gold sheeting to line the wood when trying to build an Orgone generator.
Or, you know, a container to store and carry some old stone tablets.

However, I can personally attest that the shock from an approximately one gallon Leydon jar fashioned from an old chemical bottle and Al foil is something not to be repeated. Also one gets a nasty burn at the point of entry of the juice which is perhaps a secondary consideration.

I've never understood this with Leyden jars. The area of a gallon jar would be under 1/2 square meter, the wall thickness would be at least a couple millimeters, and the dielectric constant of glass is 5 to 10. The capacitance would only be at most around 0.02 micro Farads. That's... not big. How are these shocking people? How many volts were people able to generate back then to put into them? Van de Graaff generators could make mega Volts, but those were invented in 1929.

 

[Wheels Of Confusion]

The description of the Ark of the Covenant fits as a Leyden jar like device. Mythbusters episode supports this.

As we are digressing into mythical devices, I always thought that the Ark of the Covenant might be an Orgone generator that actually works. Ha! Some similarities in published designs between the two devices except that as far as I know, no-one has ever sprung for gold sheeting to line the wood when trying to build an Orgone generator.
Or, you know, a container to store and carry some old stone tablets.

However, I can personally attest that the shock from an approximately one gallon Leydon jar fashioned from an old chemical bottle and Al foil is something not to be repeated. Also one gets a nasty burn at the point of entry of the juice which is perhaps a secondary consideration.

I've never understood this with Leyden jars. The area of a gallon jar would be under 1/2 square meter, the wall thickness would be at least a couple millimeters, and the dielectric constant of glass is 5 to 10. The capacitance would only be at most around 0.02 micro Farads. That's... not big. How are these shocking people? How many volts were people able to generate back then to put into them? Van de Graaff generators could make mega Volts, but those were invented in 1929.

The capacitance may be small but the electric potential is huge; tens of thousands of volts. That voltage is way more than sufficient to overcome your body's resistance and create a jolt. They could also be wired up series or parallel, like any other capacitor, and Franklin was known to do so.
It's fortunate the amount of current put out was so minuscule or else the resulting shock could easily be lethal.

 

[szielins]

How many volts were people able to generate back then to put into them?

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leyden_jar) contains an estimate that a Leyden jar could handle 20-60 kilovolts, well within the range of early rotating-globe electrostatic devices. (You can generate 20 kV by scuffing your feet on carpet on a dry day.) With E = .5 * C * V^2, 2 x 10^-8 F and 20-60 kV gets us 4 to 36 joules.

One gallon would be a pretty big jar, though. A smaller one pint 1 nanofarad jar so charged would be .2 to 1.8 joules. But we know Franklin put together a "battery" of what looks to me like 28 of the things (from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin's_electrostatic_machine). If they're 1 nF each, that's 5.6 to 50.4 J.

 

[Wheels Of Confusion]

Reminds me of the dry winter day in my youth where I was jumping on a trampoline. Anyone who owns a trampoline will tell you that you get static shocks when touching the metal frame in those conditions. Well, while ambling over to the frame to dismount, I spotted a tiny spider. Reaching out a finger towards the foul hellbeast, the static charge built up on my body suddenly lept to the spider as a tiny Zeus's bolt of lightning, killing it instantly.
I felt no remorse. Spiders are gross*.



*Jumping spiders excepted.

 

[cheshirecheese]

The Founding Father once infamously electrocuted himself while trying to kill a turkey with electricity.

Nope. He shocked himself. Electrocution is a portmanteau of "electricity" and "execution," meaning if someone electrocutes themselves they die as a result.

The etymology of a word does not define it - the English language is not 'C'! Dictionary definitions of electrocution give typically 'injure or kill'.