Benjamin Franklin: Museum Object and Cultural History
Benjamin Franklin: Date: 1971. Created by: Handel Film Corporation, American, founded 1953. Subject of: Benjamin Franklin, American, 1706 - 1790.
The object in the museum catalogue
A documentary film with the title Benjamin Franklin. It consists of a single reel of color 16mm acetate film with optical sound.
The documentary explores the life and contributions of American “scientist, statesman, scholar and sage” Benjamin Franklin. It opens with a brief historical speculation about America's founding, before moving on to a discussion of Franklin's childhood and youth.
The rest of the film focuses on some of Ben Franklin’s popular accomplishments and contributions, such as his career in publishing, and creation of a printery in Philadelphia; his development of the almanac; his creation of/contributions to a number of institutions, such as the subscription library, fire brigade, fire insurance, hospital, a militia, the now University of Pennsylvania; his contributions as postmaster general; his inventions, such as the odometer, storage battery, bifocal glasses; as well as some of his other scientific discoveries, such as the gulf stream and electricity.
Materials, dates and provenance
- Date: 1971
- Created by: Handel Film Corporation, American, founded 1953
- Subject of: Benjamin Franklin, American, 1706 - 1790
- Narrated by: Ed Stoddard
- Owned by: D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
- Type: sound films
- Type: color films (visual works)
- Type: short subjects
- Type: 16mm (photographic film size)
- Medium: acetate film
- Dimensions: Duration: 28 Minutes
- Dimensions: Length (Film): 1000 Feet
- Place used: Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
- Place depicted: Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
- Topic: African American
- Topic: Documentary films
- Topic: Film
- Topic: Men
- Topic: Science
- Topic: Technology
- Topic: U.S. History, 1783-1815
- Topic: U.S. History, Colonial period, 1600-1775
- Object number: 2017.55.104.1a
- Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Transferred from the DC Public Library
- Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture
Sources and reuse
Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
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