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Benjamin Franklin

All articles tagged with #benjamin franklin

entertainment1 year ago

"Michael Douglas Shines as the Cheeky Founding Father in 'Franklin': A Review"

Michael Douglas delivers a captivating performance as Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV+ series "Franklin," which focuses on his diplomatic mission in France. The series, directed by Tim Van Patten, showcases the period-piece production detail and explores Franklin's interactions with diplomats and power brokers, as well as his grandson's coming of age experiences. The supporting ensemble, including Thibault de Montalembert and Eddie Marsan, adds depth to the narrative, making "Franklin" worth the viewing time despite its occasional slow pace.

tv-show-review1 year ago

"Michael Douglas Portrays Franklin: A Founding Father's Disappointment in Modern America"

Apple TV+'s "Franklin" attempts to strip away the superficial understanding of Benjamin Franklin to expose his human frailties and genius, but struggles to create a cohesive narrative in its eight-episode run. Michael Douglas plays Franklin as a figure who is simultaneously mythic and easily overlooked, while the series is criticized for its poorly focused storytelling and lack of visual variety. Despite pinpointing compelling historical details, the show fails to engage viewers and falls short of delivering a satisfying portrayal of Franklin's French campaign for American independence.

tv-news1 year ago

"Michael Douglas Reflects on 'Franklin' and the Founding Father's Legacy"

Michael Douglas discusses the upcoming AppleTV+ series "Franklin" at the Canneseries festival, highlighting the significance of premiering the show in France, where it was filmed. The series focuses on Benjamin Franklin's diplomatic mission to France during the American Revolution and the role of France in saving America. Douglas, who stars and executive produces the show, emphasizes the relevance of the story in today's political climate and praises France's historical generosity.

entertainment1 year ago

"Michael Douglas Embraces Benjamin Franklin Role and Addresses Intimacy Coordinators"

Michael Douglas, known for embodying a certain brand of late-20th century White masculinity, is set to play founding father Benjamin Franklin in the upcoming series "Franklin." Despite initial doubts, Douglas's portrayal of Franklin has been well-received, with the actor eschewing heavy prosthetics to create a more naturalistic look. The series, set to launch on April 12, showcases Franklin as an 18th-century rock star, and Douglas's performance has been praised for embodying the spirit of the historical figure. After a health scare during production, Douglas is now looking forward to taking a break from acting and focusing on his political causes, including nuclear nonproliferation and gun control.

science-and-technology2 years ago

Cracking the Code: Unveiling Benjamin Franklin's Financial Strategies

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame have uncovered Benjamin Franklin's innovative techniques for printing money in the American Colonies, including unique pigments and materials to deter counterfeiting. Using cutting-edge spectroscopic and imaging instruments, the team analyzed nearly 600 Colonial notes and found distinctive features in Franklin's bills, such as the use of a special black dye made from graphite and the inclusion of colored silks in the paper. Franklin's bills also contained a translucent material called muscovite, which increased over time and served as a deterrent to counterfeiters. The interdisciplinary project highlights the value of collaboration across disciplines and sheds light on Franklin's contributions to early American monetary history.

history2 years ago

Benjamin Franklin's Role in Defeating Early American Counterfeiters

Benjamin Franklin played a crucial role in foiling early American money counterfeiters by incorporating intricate veined leaf designs on the paper money, making it difficult to replicate. Scientists from the University of Notre Dame have identified specific pigments, minerals, and fibers used in these bills, shedding light on the methods employed to safeguard the currency.

technology-and-innovation2 years ago

Benjamin Franklin's Fight Against Counterfeiters Paved the Way for the US Dollar

Benjamin Franklin's early work in printing colonial paper currency to combat counterfeiting has been revealed through advanced scanning techniques. Franklin used colored threads, watermarks, and imprints of natural objects like leaves to make it difficult for counterfeiters to replicate his paper bills. The research conducted by the University of Notre Dame sheds light on Franklin's methods and highlights his use of fillers, dyed threads, and nature printing. Franklin's innovative techniques set barriers for counterfeiters and influenced the inclusion of security features, such as colored threads, in modern U.S. currency.

history2 years ago

Benjamin Franklin's Lessons in Fighting Counterfeiters

A recent study has shed light on Benjamin Franklin's innovations in printing techniques and currency design. Franklin, who won a contract to print £40,000 for Pennsylvania in 1731, experimented with various methods to combat counterfeiting. His use of intricate patterns, such as a sage leaf, on the money made it difficult to replicate. The study also revealed that Franklin's paper money contained flecks of mica, a substance not easily accessible to counterfeiters. Surprisingly, the researchers found that Franklin used graphite ink, which was uncommon for the time. The findings raise questions about Franklin's intentions and whether his innovations were primarily aimed at preventing counterfeiting or simply experimenting with new printing techniques.

science-and-technology2 years ago

Capturing Lightning: High-Speed Photo Reveals How Lightning Rods Work

A high-speed photo of lightning rods at work during an electrical storm in Brazil is helping scientists understand how the devices compete to attract strikes and keep buildings safe from damage. The image shows a lightning bolt heading towards the ground at 230 miles per second, and the researchers' analysis of the lightning rods' reactions to the bolt was published in the Geophysical Research Letters in December 2022. Lightning rods were invented in the mid-18th century by Benjamin Franklin and are used to safely disperse electrical discharges on the ground.