Why was the invention of the lightning rod a major breakthrough?

                Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod in 1749. A lightning rod is a metal rod mounted on top of elevated structures like a building, tree, ship etc.

                It is electrically bonded with a wire with the ground or ‘earth’ through an electrode. Such an object protect a structure while lightning strikes. The idea behind it is that when lightning hits the building or tree, it will strike the rod.

              As a result, the electric power from lightning will be conducted to the ground through the wire, instead of passing through the building or tree. Thus, the structure can be saved from electrocution.

             Historians say that lightning rods were used in ancient times, and were particularly seen in the Sri Lankan kingdom of Anuradhapura, thousands of years ago. However, in the modern age, it was Benjamin Franklin who introduced the idea to the world. His aim was to create a tool that could save people from the dangers of the natural phenomenon. Through a series of experiments including the famous one using kite, he created the ‘Franklin rod’.