I would recommend this book to anyone who has never heard another narrator before, or someone who is so interested in the life of benjamin franklin that they are willing to put up with the narrators annoying impersonations. But, despite only two years of schooling, he was also an ingenious scientist. An astonishing life of benjamin franklin by his good mouse amos this was the book that started my youthful enjoyment of both history and becoming an avid reader. I read the entire book, but i never felt drawn to the story, wondering what. Initially franklin named it the glassychord, but soon settled on armonica as the name for his new inventionafter the italian word for harmony armonia. When benjamin franklin invented his mechanical version of the instrument in 1761, he called it the armonica, based on the italian word armonia, which means. Its missing about half of its glasses, and nowhere near playable, but isnt it wonderful that it survived at all. Author dorothee kocks, phd, american studies, brown. What was one of the most memorable moments of benjamin franklin. The enchanting history of ben franklins glass armonica the first musical. Forbes ranked benjamin franklin the 89 th richest man in american history.
Benjamin franklin was born on milk street, in boston, massachusetts, on january 17, 1706, and baptized at old south meeting house. Benjamin franklin facts for kids all about benjamin franklin. Oct 10, 2016 the enchanting history of ben franklins glass armonica the first musical instrument ever invented by an american. The story of benjamin franklins glass armonica by mead, corey and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Jul 01, 2003 if alexander hamilton is one of the most underappreciated of the founders then benjamin franklin is one of the most misunderstood. The enchanting history of ben franklins glass armonica. Angelic music book by corey mead official publisher page. Benjamin franklin january 17, 1706 april 17, 1790 was one of the founding fathers of the united states of america. The pennsylvania center for the book glass armonica. Facts about the glass armonica invented by benjamin franklin.
An original franklin armonica is in the archives at the franklin institute in philadelphia, having been donated in 1956 by franklins descendants after the children took great delight in breaking the bowls with spoons during family gatherings. Invented by founding father benjamin franklin, the concept is the same as rubbing the tip of your finger around a wine glass to make a sound. The glass armonica is truly one of the strangest musical instruments in the world. The story of benjamin franklin s glass armonica by mead, corey and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. With spirited charm, mead weaves history, music, science, and medici. Two years of experimentation later, franklin debuted his glass armonica, a collection of differentsized glass bowls arranged on a rotating shaft. When her music attracts the attention of benjamin franklin, he offers her a new life. Benjamin franklin invented the first mechanical model of the musical instrument in 1761. A wonderfully engaging and interesting book about a little known area of musical history the glass armonica. Benjamin franklin s glass armonica in the mid1700s, benjamin franklin served as a delegate for colonial america and spent a great deal of time traveling to london and paris. Apr 06, 2020 benjamin franklin is best known as one of the founding fathers who never served as president but was a respected inventor, publisher, scientist and diplomat. The glass armonica, benjamin franklins 1761 invention the. The usual home of franklins armonica is the franklin institute in philadelphia, pa, usa. The story of benjamin franklin s glass armonica by corey mead 2016, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay.
Mozart wrote two pieces for the armonica, including adagio and rondo 617, and in 1815, beethoven wrote a short melodrama where a narrator told a story while. History the armonica, also called the glass harmonica was invented by benjamin franklin in 1761. By spinning the shaft with a foot pedal and running wetted fingers over the rotating bowls, franklin found he could coax out chords and melodies that delaval could only dream of. Finding one sweet book about benjamin franklin at a used book store led to asking the librarian to help us find further ben franklin resources, which led us to more and more resources. Benjamin franklin invented a glass harp smart news. Benjamin franklin is best known as one of the founding fathers who never served as president but was a respected inventor, publisher, scientist and. Throughout history each generation has taken a new look at benjamin franklin. I recommend highly his biographies of roger williams and benjamin franklin. Oct 18, 2016 benjamin franklins most beloved invention was the glass armonica, and this book shows how its combination of art and science is a key to understanding the many aspects of his creativity. Inventions and improvements benjamin franklin history. Glass harmonica, musical instrument consisting of a set of graduated, tuned glass bowls sounded by the friction of wetted fingers on their rims. Benjamin franklin january 17, 1706 april 17, 1790 was one of. He worked with glassblower charles james to build his instrument.
Aug 17, 2017 read about the glass harmonica that was invented by benjamin franklin, one of the founding fathers of the us. Isaacson ends his book with a concluding chapter that details this misundestanding. Three years earlier he had seen edmund delaval play waterfilled wine glasses. Benjamin franklin and his musical invention the glass armonica david mauldin reenactor. Famous for his several inventions, benjamin franklin was also known for his passion for music.
January 6, 1705 1 april 17, 1790 was one of the founding fathers of the united states. Ben franklin the musician, glass armonica, benjamin franklin. He was one of seventeen children born to josiah franklin, and one of ten born by josiahs second wife, abiah folger. A young ladys level of accomplishment, during jane austens day, was in part dependant upon her musical abilities. An american life begins by touching on his childhood as best as it can considering the lack of material to work with. During this period, it was quite popular and entertaining for amateur musicians to perform on sets of singing or musical glasses. The tail of ben franklins mouse, amos, who gives him all the help he needs in inventing his now famous inventions and the founding of our nation is a. January 6, 17051 april 17, 1790 was one of the founding fathers of the united states. Dec 03, 20 smart news keeping you current benjamin franklin invented a glass harp here you can hear a man play the dance of the sugarplum fairies on the armonica which looks a lot like a man massaging a. Our simple ben franklin unit study has been a lot of fun. The franklin institute is temporarily closed to the public. He created a sansserif font known as franklin gothic. The history of the glass armonica of all my inventions, the glass armonica has given me the greatest personal satisfaction benjamin franklin. Benjamin franklins glass armonica the franklin institute.
Benjamin franklin may have helped give birth to a new nation, but the glass armonica was the founding fathers most cherished creation, according to english professor corey mead. It is only placed on display for special occasions, such as franklins birthday. You will see a pretty reproduction of franklins armonica, also called a glass harmonica, which consists of a set of graduated glass bowls on a rotating shaft that produce tones when a finger is pressed to the moistened rims. The glass armonica benjamin franklins magical musical. The enchanting history of ben franklin s glass armonica the first musical instrument ever invented by an american. An invention for taking down books from hard to reach shelves. In this informative book, gene barretta brings benjamin franklins genius to life, deepening our appreciation for one of the most influential figures in american history. Franklin was the first person in america to manufacture type. In january, 1786, benjamin franklin explains his invention. He was also a leading author and printer, political theorist, politician. This led to his most famous experiment of all in june 1752 benjamin franklin and his son, william, went out for a walk through a field on a stormy night. Ben franklin the musician, glass armonica, benjamin.
It was named after him in 1902 and it is usually used in newspaper headlines. Benjamin franklin was born in boston, massachusetts on january 17, 1706, the 15th child in a family of 17 children. An instrument of desire now nearly forgotten, the glass harmonica is a real instrument that once swept europe and america. Franklin took that concept and turned it on its side, nesting about 50 glass bowls inside each other, allowing it to be played like a piano. It is also believed that the glass armonica was first musical instrument ever invented by the american national. While geared towards young adult readers, anyone interested in american history should read this book. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Franklins new invention premiered in early 1762, played by marianne daviesa well known musician in london who learned to play franklins new invention. Benjamin franklin 17061790 was one of the founding fathers of the united states and a man of many talents. The story of benjamin franklins glass armonica by corey mead 2016, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay.
The glass harmonica, also known as the glass armonica, glass harmonium, bowl organ, hydrocrystalophone, or simply the armonica or harmonica derived from. The glass armonica, benjamin franklins 1761 invention. Benjamin franklin invented a glass harp here you can hear a man play the dance of the sugarplum fairies on the armonica which looks a lot like a man massaging a stack of plastic cups image. An excellent starttofinish biography, benjamin franklin. Recalling the life of benjamin franklin, scientist benjamin franklin was a printer, politician, diplomat and journalist. In 1757, while in england he attended a concert given on the wine glasses. Intending to make a clergyman of benjamin, he sent him, at the age of eight, to a grammarschool, with the purpose of fitting him for college. Below the court is a museum filled with paintings, objects, and inventions associated with benjamin franklin. Complete correspondence tofrom franklin about the armonica. The glass armonica was benjamin franklins favorite invention and a great hit in the. In this charming and fascinating book, part musicology and part cultural history, mead war play looks at how benjamin franklin developed his most. Sep 24, 20 benjamin franklin and his musical invention the glass armonica david mauldin reenactor. Scientist, inventor, printer, and statesman describes one of americas leading figures during the american revolution, discussing his many roles and influences throughout history.
A writer known for his wit and wisdom, franklin also published poor richards almanack, invented bifocal glasses and organized the first successful american lending library. Facts benjamin franklin history historical society. In fact, music was his passion and joy, and meads new book. Benjamin franklin 17061790 was a statesman, author, publisher, scientist, inventor, diplomat, a founding father and a leading figure of early american history.
After that, isaacson takes the reader through a more detailed account of franklins early entrepreneurial life, through his many inventions, and into his later statesmen days. But, despite only two years of schooling, he was also an ingenious. However, unlike the historical method of using 40% lead glass, gfi uses. Benjamin franklins inventions lemelson center for the. A noted polymath, franklin was a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. The word armonica is derived from the greek word harmionia meaning harmony.
The long arm of benjamin franklin ian brabner, rare. Old men find it inconvenient to mount a ladder or steps for that purpose, their heads being sometimes subject to giddinesses, and their activity, with the steadiness of their joints being abated by age. Benjamin franklin may have helped give birth to a new nation, but the glass. But in 2006, the 300th anniversay of franklins birth, an exhibit of franklin artifactsincluding his armonicais touring the united states and paris. Benjamin franklin the first american legends of america.
Though born in boston, he moved to philadelphia as a teenager in 1723 and subsequently established himself as a printer, publisher, postmaster, civic activist, author, political theorist, statesman, and diplomat. Sep 04, 2017 in this informative book, gene barretta brings benjamin franklins genius to life, deepening our appreciation for one of the most influential figures in american history. Like franklin and his instrument, this book has a spirit of fun. The modern inventions of benjamin franklin by gene. Benjamin franklin retired in 1749 to work on science, experiments, and inventions. Benjamin franklins glass armonica in the mid1700s, benjamin franklin served as a delegate for colonial america and spent a great deal of time traveling to london and paris. Unit studies often snowball like that and i love it. Recalling the life of benjamin franklin, scientist. Benjamin franklin invented the glass armonica in 1761. Jul 02, 2010 recalling the life of benjamin franklin, scientist benjamin franklin was a printer, politician, diplomat and journalist. Corey mead a jewel of musical history the story of ben franklins favorite invention, the glass armonica including the composers who wrote for it mozart, beethoven, handel, among others. Franklin was the prototypical american whose ideas and actions shaped so much of our republics early development.
One of the leading figures of early american history, benjamin franklin 17061790 was a statesman, author, publisher, scientist, inventor and diplomat. About ben franklin benjamin franklin was a fine amateur musician who was very knowledgeable in the history, theory, and harmony of music. Benjamin franklins most beloved invention was the glass armonica, and this book shows how its combination of art and science is a key to understanding the many aspects of his creativity. Benjamin franklin is well known as a publisher, statesman, scientist, and inventor, but he was also a musician who created the first american musical instrument. The enchanting history of ben franklins glass armonica the first. Invented by benjamin franklin, written for by mozart and beethoven amongst others, used by mesmer in his experiments, and creating delight and occasionally fear over the centuries, its is now apparently enjoying a revival. The usual home of franklin s armonica is the franklin institute in philadelphia, pa, usa. While the protagonist of the glass harmonica, chjara valle, is fictional, the musical history featured in the novel is accurate. The glass harmonica became so popular that composers like mozart and beethoven wrote musical compositions for it. The glass armonica is a musical instrument that uses a series of glass bowls or goblets of different sizes to produce musical tones by means of friction.
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