Happy 300th Birthday, Benjamin Franklin.

The greatest of the Founding Fathers turns 300 today. Arguably one of the most accomplished humans of the past millenium. Benjamin Franklin ran away from home in Boston at the age of 17 and came to Philadelphia, penniless, to make his fortune. By the time he died at the age of 87, Benjamin Franklin had discovered the fluid theory of electricity, ran a hugely successful printing company, been one of the three primary drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, almost single-handedly convinced the French to fund the American Revolution, been the governor of Pennsylvania, invented the lightining rod (which saved the lives of more people in the 18th century than perhaps any other invention) and the pot-belly stove, not to mention bifocal lenses, the step-stool, and many other inventions which are still in use and not much improved almost 300 years later.

I am now 32 and am unable to balance my checkbook. I believe he'd be proud.