Background

Benjamin Franklin started his career as a printer as an apprentice for his brother. At the age of seventeen Ben left his brothers apprenticeship behind in Boston. After his apprenticeship he traveled to Philadelphia from which he spawned Poor Richards Almanac. This was one of Ben greatest contributions to American Culture.  At the age of forty-two Ben Franklin retired from his printing career in order to better devote his attention to science. Ben was responsible for many contributions to science and technological advances such as the understanding of earthquakes and ocean currents and the lightning rod. Although he was very successful as a printer, writer, and scientist his most famous work was his work in politics. Ben Franklin was responsible for enlisting the French's help in the Revolutionary war and was ambassador to both Britain and France in that order.