As Professor Herschbach explains, Franklin’s legacy is not merely the province of a select group of enlightened scientists. Rather, Franklin’s experiments, simple to replicate and lucidly described in his letters, are available to all. Whether one is involved in the study of science, history, arts or politics, Franklin’s achievements are so varied, as to be accessible for study by all disciplines.

A supremely effective educational role model, Franklin reminds us that curiosity and learning need not be limited by intellectual specialization. Furthermore, his scientific achievements remind us that the power of experimentation has the capacity to fundamentally and irrevocably change our culture.