tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post2908044285398216629..comments2024-03-28T18:22:01.184+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: Bran Tub # 11: Lightning Rod Fashion ... Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-37523736330896201452017-06-10T08:42:40.529+01:002017-06-10T08:42:40.529+01:00@ Bookworm - I guessed many would know about Frank...@ Bookworm - I guessed many would know about Franklin and the lightning rod, but the mix of subjects - made a good post ...so thank you ... <br /><br />@ Patsy - yes me too ... but I'd never have put lightning rods and Franklin together ... <br /><br />@ Jacqui - churches on high ... and in sight of the sea or landscapes ... so the bells could be heard far away - or could be seen from a distance ...<br /><br />@ Robyn - good to see you ... yes if they'd listened to Ben and his ideas the safety aspect might have caught on earlier saving many early lives.<br /><br />@ Sandy - well I agree the fashion items were the fun things ...the serious bit was Ben and his ideas ... <br /><br />@ Sheena-Kay - many thanks ... <br /><br />Good to see you all - enjoy the weekend - cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-54918911812081529712017-06-10T00:58:15.211+01:002017-06-10T00:58:15.211+01:00Some fun Franklin facts.Some fun Franklin facts.Sheena-kay Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17712661419116636671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-65364434237908378882017-06-09T22:00:00.021+01:002017-06-09T22:00:00.021+01:00I never knew that about old Ben - but I am more in...I never knew that about old Ben - but I am more in awe of how the lightening rod came into being and the church explosion.<br /><br />Thank you for writing me - I had lost everything! sandieChatty Cronehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02232040517217024681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-18011482414634215282017-06-09T19:28:23.653+01:002017-06-09T19:28:23.653+01:00If only they'd listened to Ben from the moment...If only they'd listened to Ben from the moment he opened his brilliant mouth. So many layers of trauma related to lightning and churches - wow. This was fascinating, Hillary. Thank you for the info.<br /><br />Thanks also for your kind cheer on my blog. I very much appreciate it. Janie's the best. Isn't she?<br /><br />Happy weekend.Rawknrobyn.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15997241410192066577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-77692914045102947052017-06-09T16:16:20.203+01:002017-06-09T16:16:20.203+01:00That is amazing. I had no idea that's why so m...That is amazing. I had no idea that's why so many churches were built on high. Fascinating post, Hilary.Computer Tutorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00938856237984732342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-83410991452217662432017-06-09T15:54:47.370+01:002017-06-09T15:54:47.370+01:00I didn't know any of that! (Well, I'd hear...I didn't know any of that! (Well, I'd heard of Franklin and lightning rods, but the rest is all new.)Patsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-90046495419081286382017-06-09T11:28:05.121+01:002017-06-09T11:28:05.121+01:00I knew about the lightning rod but not these perso...I knew about the lightning rod but not these personal lightning rod devices - or about gunpowder being stored in churches. Wow! Talk about fashion, and explosives in one sentence. The Unknown Journey Ahead agingonthespectrum.blogspot.combookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06589840841266507266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-11041282527931468902017-06-09T11:04:16.111+01:002017-06-09T11:04:16.111+01:00@ Teresa - gosh your grandfather was struck by lig...@ Teresa - gosh your grandfather was struck by lightning ... I guess the lightning struck the tractor, but the rubber tyres were the safety mechanism ... so he was very lucky. <br /><br />Lightning is scary ... at times pretty ... but those fashionistas were quite extraordinary - so glad you enjoyed the article ...<br /><br />@ Nick - they did really didn't they ... but of course it wasn't understood - and there's a buck to be made - then the idea will come to the fore. I don't think the hats or umbrellas were put to the test - and if they were we don't know about it. <br /><br />@ Suzanne - I was totally bemused by the 'story line' and just couldn't resist writing it up ... oh yes and the church steeples - lightning doesn't discriminate does it ... poor souls ... <br /><br />@ Sharon - it's such an extraordinary idea - still helps us today. No please don't take one of those brollies onto your golf course ... yes a walking target - but they'd be soaked too ... <br /><br />@ Troutbirder - yes it is certainly a bizarre fashion - so didn't last long - thankfully.<br /><br />@ Trisha - how wacky and how dangerous ... thankfully we know today. Yes Franklin v Trump - absolutely no comparison ... Franklin was amazing - such a polymath ... he gave us much ... <br /><br />Cheers to you all - thanks so much for visiting ... enjoy the weekend - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-90445554401521747292017-06-09T01:51:20.252+01:002017-06-09T01:51:20.252+01:00Love the idea of ladies wearing a hat to channel l...Love the idea of ladies wearing a hat to channel lightning safely. How wacky!<br /><br />Interesting to consider how Franklin differed from the current US president in terms of being a scientist, etc!Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927558937796802496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-27586966447978408372017-06-09T00:12:21.974+01:002017-06-09T00:12:21.974+01:00I've always thought some aspects of "fash...I've always thought some aspects of "fashion" could be over the top....but this one is more than a little bizarre. :)troutbirderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087811292280881959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-57201556251623576722017-06-08T18:49:08.837+01:002017-06-08T18:49:08.837+01:00Incredible! A first for me too. I'll pass on u...Incredible! A first for me too. I'll pass on using those umbrellas at our local golf course. Can't imagine they were all that effective. Talk about a walking target!Sharon Himslhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-31225799771333144662017-06-08T17:55:07.189+01:002017-06-08T17:55:07.189+01:00Wow, this is so interesting. Lightning rods in fas...Wow, this is so interesting. Lightning rods in fashion? Never heard of that before and so many killed by strikes in churches. Always something new to learn about, thanks Hilary.Suzanne Furnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00908200156114453054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-50529529773127445442017-06-08T17:53:38.927+01:002017-06-08T17:53:38.927+01:00They took that idea way too far, didn't they? ...They took that idea way too far, didn't they? Never knew this stuff about Benjamin Franklin. Any evidence that these umbrellas and hats were effective?Nick Wilfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03841776353790635132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-22242318359863025042017-06-08T17:46:39.720+01:002017-06-08T17:46:39.720+01:00Well this is a interesting post. Yes I knew about ...Well this is a interesting post. Yes I knew about Benjamin Franklin. And speaking of another Franklin, my grandfather (Frank) was struck by lighting while riding his tractor in a field. It didn't kill him and that's all I know about it. <br /><br />Lightning is scary and pretty. <br /><br />Funny about making lightning protection fashionable. Great article!!!<br />Teresa T. Powell Coltrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160774009926623671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-78130687690396036642017-06-08T15:00:59.875+01:002017-06-08T15:00:59.875+01:00@ Deniz - they looked fashionable ... but what fas...@ Deniz - they looked fashionable ... but what fashionable thing has been easy to wear ... high-heeled shoes etc ... I forgot the wind, I remembered the wet ... exactly a "very sensible" silly question on a marketing ploy ... <br /><br />@ Bill - it just amused me so I had to write about them - then found out about Franklin etc ... I am being educated ... <br /><br />@ Theresa - yes the highest spot with gunpowder stored down stairs ... I know what could go wrong??? Extraordinary ... but obvious to us today - poor bell ringers if they'd been fried alive ... not nice at all ... <br /><br />@ Liza - it made me laugh ... and seems to have amused you all - obviously most people haven't come across this fashion!<br /><br />Thanks so much for all your comments - glad I got a laugh .. and it's something I'll remember ... cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-52940164820110557532017-06-08T12:18:06.213+01:002017-06-08T12:18:06.213+01:00Now this is one fun story. Who knew? Imagine walki...Now this is one fun story. Who knew? Imagine walking around with one of those hats on. Yikes!Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-40325629231703792732017-06-08T11:06:33.158+01:002017-06-08T11:06:33.158+01:00Churches, highest spot in the area, gunpowder--wha...Churches, highest spot in the area, gunpowder--what could go wrong??? All those poor bell ringers!!!<br /><br />Ben Franklin was one interesting guy.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-61319890067572748972017-06-08T10:59:57.921+01:002017-06-08T10:59:57.921+01:00This is fascinating. Thanks. I knew about lightnin...This is fascinating. Thanks. I knew about lightning rods, but not about lightning rod hats or umbrellas, or churches packed with gunpowder. How interesting!Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08859125602809246773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-60941464672793336242017-06-08T10:05:35.689+01:002017-06-08T10:05:35.689+01:00I kinda like the way the umbrella looks! But usual...I kinda like the way the umbrella looks! But usually if there's thunder and lightning, there's probably wind too. And umbrellas can never withstand wind... Who are all these people strolling fashionably through storms? My silly question of the day :-)Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-71725549207793714922017-06-08T07:09:24.084+01:002017-06-08T07:09:24.084+01:00@ Ronel – you’re right there … it would make a goo...@ Ronel – you’re right there … it would make a good tale … and if you see Denise’s comment below she mentions someone has written such a story … <br /><br />@ Michael – good to see you ... I know life hasn’t been easy and am glad this post lightened the day a little … and yes fashionable at that … <br /><br />@ Yolanda – yes completely unbelievable, yet remarkably true … when we put all the threads together for history’s sake; Franklin – I learnt a lot about him … <br /><br />@ Christine – Ben Frankin had some great ideas … but it’s what the church administrators did … with the gunpowder … putting two and two together can be difficult sometimes!<br /><br />@ Susan – I suppose these things (hats and umbrellas) aren’t worth mentioning as they were the unintended consequences of Franklin’s lightning rod some decades later. Lightning doesn’t behave as expected … and home or garden strikes are really terrifying … and I can quite believe that was too close.<br /><br />@ Victoria – thank you so much … I try and make them different from the norm. I think Franklin did a little more than dabble – he was exceedingly thorough … and he tried and tested things. He didn’t invent the hat or the umbrella – some other ‘bright spark’ went that route a few decades later. You’re right there – hindsight into history makes life more interesting in some ways and funnier… <br /><br />@ Nancy – how amazing your husband is directly related to Ben Franklin … I didn’t know about his (Franklin’s!!) womanising though – or just didn’t note it when I was reading up about the fashion.<br /><br />The storing of explosives in churches made sense probably – as the crypt could be locked up … but not so clever if there was no lightning rod once they’d realise the invention worked … funny old life though … <br /><br />@ Joylene – thankfully lightning might be random, and only ends up at a strike point … thus saving a few churches … <br /><br />@ Crystal – Franklin is an incredible man … he did achieve so much … yet even snippets are still being noted today. The bell ringing (poor souls) would have been happening when Franklin was researching, but the funky umbrellas and hats were created by someone 50 years later … jumping on the bandwagon, I’d say!!<br /><br />@ Elsie – it was interesting to write up … your Dad was right in some ways … most houses now have a metal strip running down the outside of the house from the chimney taking the electricity strike away into the ground … but not into the house as could have happened at your home. Well he was thinking about you and I’m sure you were reassured … till you found out!<br /><br />@ Mark – I don’t know enough about his almanac … but keep seeing articles about Franklin and his inventions etc … <br /><br />@ Jean – I must say I hadn’t realised Ben Franklin had done so much research into electricity. The chain from the hat or umbrella would be a nightmare to walk around with … while, would you be out in the storm … so I think my hat or umbrella would be unused at home … funny old world!<br /><br />@ Lynda – just glad you had a laugh … me too … <br /><br />@ Denise – I expect no-one put two and two together and realised that the bell ringers were in danger in a storm … but it does make sense doesn’t it. That movie with the psychopath and his lightning rod umbrella – yes great way to kill him off – as you say neat ending.<br /><br />@ JL – thanks for your extra bits of information and I expect your time in Philadelphia was interesting.<br /><br />@ Susan – lightning rods are still common … I remember farms in South Africa having rods everywhere and reading about strikes that travelled underground along wires into the houses … so dangerous. Franklin was an amazing man … <br /><br />@ Becca – yes bell ringers seemed to live in dangerous times without any protection … I expect no-one realised quite how dangerous it was … so glad you enjoyed the fun side of history … <br /><br />Cheers to you all – well we’re into Election Day … what will tomorrow bring … see you around - Hilary<br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-72636635152477755352017-06-08T05:32:29.512+01:002017-06-08T05:32:29.512+01:00I can't believe how many bell ringers were kil...I can't believe how many bell ringers were killed, that is so sad! But, this was a fascinating history lesson! :)Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01335822447056360488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-67672084401906007582017-06-08T04:48:56.705+01:002017-06-08T04:48:56.705+01:00Our farm where I grew up had lightning rods on eve...Our farm where I grew up had lightning rods on everything and they were struck many, many times. Franklin had his hand in so many things. He was amazing.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-60964809711034393182017-06-08T04:06:35.837+01:002017-06-08T04:06:35.837+01:00I lived in Philadelphia. Ben's obsession with ...I lived in Philadelphia. Ben's obsession with lightning/ electric is well known. Perhaps not the umbrellas or hats though. <br />To my understanding, a lightning rod slogan is basically "it attracts the hits, taking them so you don't have to." Which is why some people were/are against them, because the rods are always getting hit. But... that's sorta the point, because they can take it. Franklin was big on "hope for the best, but prepare for the worst." It's the people who ignore the second half of that who really didn't get along well with him. J Lenni Dornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07961335286982498158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-15758070742631842342017-06-08T03:03:14.462+01:002017-06-08T03:03:14.462+01:00My gosh, Hilary, I'd never spared a thought fo...My gosh, Hilary, I'd never spared a thought for the bell ringers killed by lightning strikes. Makes sense. Poor things. I saw a movie once where a psychopath was carrying one of those lightning rod umbrellas and got struck and died. Neat ending.<br /><br />Looking forward to a 'typical Hilary' post for Bridges. Go girl!<br /><br />Denise :-)<br />Denise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-60461837814236135052017-06-08T02:37:31.316+01:002017-06-08T02:37:31.316+01:00lol at the lightning rod fashions. I hadn't he...lol at the lightning rod fashions. I hadn't heard that before and had to laugh. Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.com