Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a scientist, printer, statesman, humorist, and one of the most familiar of America's founding fathers. His innovations include the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, and forming the first public lending library and fire department in America. As a diplomat, Franklin served as ambassador to France, where he became a beloved celebrity, and was crucial in garnering that nation's aid during the American Revolution.

Jim Henson's great-grandfather, Oscar Hinrichs, worked for Alexander Dallas Bache, Benjamin Franklin's great-grandson.^[1]

Potrayals

• Telly Monster portrayed Franklin in an American Revolution sketch where he supported the turkey as the national bird. He also played Franklin in an illustration in B is for Books!, depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

• Floyd Pepper portrayed Franklin in I Love Liberty.

• An animated version of Franklin, with his key and kite, appears in the Sesame Street song "Measuring, Measuring."

• The Summer 1987 issue of Muppet Magazine features an illustrated Franklin in the comic story "Star Cluck."

• Gonzo appears in the Muppet Book of Friendship dressed as Franklin to comment on one of the founding father's famous quotes.

• Steve Whitmire performed Benjamin Franklin in the Great Moments in Elvis History sketch in Muppets Tonight episode 101. The puppet was a reworked version of George the Janitor.

• Dr. Bunsen Honeydew appeared as "Bunsen "Ben" Franklin" in the coloring book Great Muppets in American History.

• The Sesame Street 1976 Calendar features Benjamin Franklin and His Kite for the month of June.

• Gonzo took the role in a 1983 Milton Bradley puzzle titled "Gonzoman Franklin Fries a Kite!"

• Baby Scooter plays "Scootermin Franklin" in the Muppet Babies episode "This Old Nursery".

• Baby Fozzie plays Franklin with Baby Kermit as John Hancock signing the Declaration of Independence in the 1991 Muppet Babies coloring book A Trip Through Time.

• On The Muppets episode "Too Hot to Handler", Fozzie Bear records a couple of regional promos for Up Late with Miss Piggy. In the one for Philadelphia, he poses as Franklin.

• Fozzie plays Franklin again in the Walt Disney World show The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History.

Muppet Book of Friendship

References

• In Episode 0227 of Sesame Street, Gordon retrieves a kite from Hooper's Store, commenting that he plans to tie a key to one end and "see what happens."

Sources