No American ambassador to France, before or after Franklin, would ever come close to the remarkable adulation that Franklin would enjoy.

His deliberately American style and manners greatly contributed to his popularity. He was instantly recognized as the symbol of the freshness and originality that the New World could bring to France.

Nicknamed by the court "L’Ambassadeur Electrique" Franklin’s popularity so raised the ire of the king that he presented his mistress Countess Diane de Polignac, one of Franklin’s most outspoken enthusiasts, with a chamber pot displaying Franklin’s image on its bottom.

As Professor Herschbach explains, Franklin’s legacy is more profound that his iconic status as a clever utilitarian. Franklin never limited his scientific endeavors to that which was practical. Rather, his scientific pursuits were determined solely by his curiosity.