Ben Franklin’s Greatest Invention

Special to FreeRepublic ^ | 9 Nov., 2005 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

[Congressman Billybob]

This is an historical story with just a tinge of current relevance. I hope y'all will find it interesting.

John / Billybob

[Cougar66]

Very intersting!! If Ben were alive today, one can only imagine what his stock would be going for. The man was amazing.

[Liberfighter]

My favorite Franklin quote:

"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

[Stayingawayfromthedarkside]

Awesome!!!

[fieldmarshaldj]

And I always thought it was hanging out a window buck-nekkid and having an "air-bath."

[Billthedrill]

BTT, and thank you for a fascinating item. Ben also developed the beginnings of the modern battery and proved in Paris that a fellow in his 70's could cuckold a generation of young Frenchmen. My hero!

[Plutarch]

Franklin made this contribution when he was in his late seventies.

[PA Engineer]

Fine work. BTTT.

[XHogPilot]

Thanks for beating the drum regarding Franklin and recognition of intellectual property (IP) rights. In reading constitutions of other governments, you may occasionally encounter references to property and rights. I have yet to find another constitution which recognizes intellectual property. I believe the reward and protection of IP is one of the most powerful elements contributing to the success of our country.

[Ruth A.]

Our Founding Fathers were nothing short of God-given. Thank you for a good article.

[supercat]

Thanks for beating the drum regarding Franklin and recognition of intellectual property (IP) rights. In reading constitutions of other governments, you may occasionally encounter references to property and rights. I have yet to find another constitution which recognizes intellectual property. I believe the reward and protection of IP is one of the most powerful elements contributing to the success of our country.

Unfortunately, our Congress has taken the clause to justify policies which are harmful to developments in the arts and sciences. Suppose, in the year 2100, I find a piece of work with a notice "Copyright 1980 John Smith". A copyright search finds nothing. By what means could I determine whether the work is in the public domain?

[snarks_when_bored]

Well said.

[Bogolyubski]

Indeed it is. The little clause from Franklin that established the concept of intellectual property generated a profound and overwhelmingly positive result over the ensuing decades.

The great problem faced today by American inventors and authors is that the disgusting corrupt porcine polticos of the bi-factional ruling party could care less about the utter disregard of US intellectual property by our supposed "favored trading partners" in China and elsewhere. Instead, they just keep on selling US citizens out at every opportunity.

Perhaps some creative inventor will come up with fast-track a tar-and-feathering device for members of congress. That would be a most worthwhile endeavor.

[decal]

"My favorite Franklin quote: 'Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.'"

Mine is: "Fart proudly."

These are not un-interrelated.

[karnage]

Wonderful! Thanks so much for posting it.

[Congressman Billybob]

Copyrights expire after a certain number of years, and also have some relation to the live of the author. That used to be 75 years. As a result, Irvin Berlin outlived his copyright on "Alexander's Ragtime Band," which he wrote when he was 21.

Copyright information is kept at the Library of Congress.

John / Billybob

[Old Seadog]

To Ben Franklin, thanks

[Loud Mime]

Ben is my favorite founding father. Regardless of how much I study, I still learn more about him.

Thanks for the article!

[Lancey Howard]

BEN BUMP!

I get a genuine sense of pride and security every time I send another bunch of my daughter's songs off to the Library of Congress for copyright registration.

[glorgau]

I like Franklin... especially when I have a stack of small oval portraits of him.