Benjamin Franklin had a varied life with many interests and talents. He began his career at the age of 12 as an apprentice in his brother’s printing shop. For 20 years he worked in the printing business publishing a newspaper called the Pennsylvania Gazette and writing Poor Richard’s Alinanac. Franklin left printing to pursue his interest in science, focusing on creating inventions such as bifocals, swim fins, a woodstove, and the lightning rod. Today we remember Franklin as one of our Founding Fathers for his role as a statesman during the fight for independence.