First American Physicist Benjamin Franklin Research Paper

First American Physicist Benjamin Franklin - Research Paper Example Ben Franklin’s life shows that only those people who dare to risk securities of home, have a strong desire to learn continuously and have a great sense of humor, can lead a happy, content and meaningful life. Hence, for anyone who desires to lead a meaningful and joyful life, and desires to live every moment of life to the fullest, the characters and life of Ben Franklin can be great inspiration, as he is an epitome of qualities that lead to success and happiness in both, the personal and the professional life. Early Years Ben Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1706 (Glass, 2004, p. 4). Franklin had sixteen siblings and he was the fifteenth child of his parents (Glass, 2004, p. 4). He went to school at the age of eight but left the school at the age of 10 to become an apprentice to his father (Glass, 2004, p. 4). He was exposed to work life very early. However, he was very fond of reading books and never stopped learning new things (Glass, 2004, p. 5). His mind was active, sharp and curious. Ben learned how to make soaps and candles in his father’s shop (Nettleton, 2004, p. 5). However, he never liked making it and enjoyed reading better (Glass, 2004, p. 6). Even though he was able to attend the school only for two years, his interest in reading books remained intact (Nettleton, 2004, p. 6). ... 6). The interest in reading and gaining knowledge from books developed his skills and business acumen. Moreover, he learnt how to be â€Å"good, just and prudent in the conduct of life† from his father (Russell, 1926, p.5). While working under his father, Ben developed interest in different tools of making artifacts by watching â€Å"joiners, bricklayers, turners, braziers and other artificers at work† (Russell, 1926, p.5). This helped him later in life in making his own tools to conduct different experiments in his laboratory (Russell, 1926, p.5). However, Ben never liked his father’s business and also did not intend to become a clergy, as his father wanted him to be (Russell, 1926, p.7). After some time, he joined his brother in printing shop (Glass, 2004, p. 6). However, Ben soon realized that he will have to make a separate way for himself, as his relationship with his brother was not going smooth. Independent Path Benjamin Franklin’s brother James was a printer (Glass, 2004, p. 6). Ben joined his brother as an apprentice and started learning how to make new papers at his printing shop (Nettleton, 2004, p. 11). At the time he joined his brother as apprentice, Ben was just 12 years old (Russell, 1926, p.4). James used to print newspaper articles written by Ben without knowing that Ben had written them as Ben used to write them under female name (Nettleton, 2004, p. 11). When he learnt that it was Ben who was writing it, he stopped publishing them (Nettleton, 2004, p. 11). Ben was not able to carry on working with James as he argued with him a lot (Nettleton, 2004, p. 11). James was abusive (American Physics Society, n.d., para. 3) and never showed appreciation towards what Ben did. Hence, Ben ran away to Philadelphia when he was 17