A Culinary Experiment Gone Awry
In December 1750, Benjamin Franklin attempted an unusual culinary experiment: killing a turkey using electricity. Franklin believed that a turkey killed by an electrical charge would be more tender and flavorful than one killed conventionally. Using a Leyden jar, a device that stored static electricity, he conducted a demonstration for his friends.
However, during the experiment, Franklin accidentally touched the electrified wire while holding a chain in his other hand, creating a circuit that sent the full electrical charge through his body.
A Painful Lesson
The shock rendered Franklin momentarily unconscious. Witnesses reported a loud crack like a pistol shot and a bright flash. Franklin later described the sensation as a “universal blow” that left him numb and bruised. His hand turned pale and felt lifeless for several minutes, and he experienced lingering soreness in his chest.
A Private Embarrassment
In a letter to his brother, Franklin confessed his “notorious blunder,” asking him not to make the story public out of embarrassment. Yet, the incident served as a sobering reminder of electricity’s dangers, influencing the precautions he later took during his famous kite experiment in 1752.
In 1750, Benjamin Franklin tried to kill a turkey with electricity, believing it would make the meat more tender. Using a Leyden jar, he conducted a demonstration, but accidentally touched the electrified wire, sending the full charge through his body. pic.twitter.com/2lHkDzNHp2
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) November 18, 2024