Who invented the lightning rod?

There is an ongoing debate over whether a "metereological machine", invented by Premonstratensian priest Prokop Diviš and erected in Přímětice near Znojmo, Moravia (now Czech Republic) in June 1754, does count as an individual invention of the lightning rod. read more

Franklin's lightning rods could soon be found protecting many buildings and homes. The lightning rod constructed on the dome of the State House in Maryland was the largest "Franklin" lightning rod ever attached to a public or private building in Ben's lifetime. read more

In 1749, Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod in North America during the course of his explorations into the nature of electricity. Franklin wrote about his invention known as the "lightning attractor" and the "Franklin rod," outlining its specifications for the protection of homes and sailing vessels, in 1753. read more

Lightning rod: Lightning rod, metallic rod (usually copper) that protects a structure from lightning damage by intercepting flashes and guiding their currents into the ground. read more