There’s no denying that Benjamin Franklin is an American icon. He created a lot of really awesome things – like the lightning rod, glass harmonica and Franklin stove – and most of us get super excited if we’re lucky enough to see his face as we pull out a $100 bill.
Did you know that he never patented any of his inventions? He claimed that “as we benefit from the inventions of others, we should be glad to share our own…freely and gladly.” That’s nice and all, but historians may have taken that first bit a little too far. While Franklin was a genius of his time, he may get a little more credit as an inventor than he deserves. Before history buffs bring out their pitchforks, read on for the top 5 things that people wrongfully think were invented by the Founding Father.
