[Congressman Billybob]

Franklin's write up of his own experiment noted that he was careful to keep the silk insulator dry, whereas the kite and string were thoroughly wet.

John

[hellbender]

Franklin may have thought that “dry” silk was an insulator, based on experience with puny voltages encountered indoors in the 18th c. However, the enormous voltages found in lightning could drive current through silk with ease, I suspect. Insulation and conduction are relative terms.