Tech History Made on January 17, 1706

On this day in 1706 Benjamin Franklin was born. An inventor and politician, Franklin brought many great things to our nation. Among his inventions are the odometer, the lightning rod, the long arm (used to reach books on high shelves), the glass harmonica, lightning bells, the Franklin stove, bifocal glasses, the flexible urinary catheter and the idea of "pay it forward". Franklin never patented his inventions on the notion that all inventors should build from each other's work. In a sense that also makes him one of the founding fathers of Open Source!

Not only was he an inventor but he was one of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of independence. Imagine if politicians today were so well rounded?