2012 Celebration! — Franklin and Energy: Resources, Uses and Efficiencies

Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Steven Chu

Noted scientist devoting his life to public service — applicable to Dr. Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Steven Chu.

Recognized as one of America’s most important early scientists, Benjamin Franklin spent years conducting experiments with electricity and magnetism. He became famous through the Western world for his treatise on electricity and lightning. In addition, Franklin dealt with practical energy issues, including the development of a new highly efficient stove.

On January 20, 2012 Celebration! Benjamin Franklin, Founder presented the Franklin Founders Award to Dr. Steven Chu in recognition of the tremendous benefits he has brought to our thinking about energy and its uses in America. Like Dr. Franklin, Dr. Chu has devoted his life to scientific research and to public service. Dr. Chu is co-winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics (1997) and holds 10 patents. He has devoted his recent scientific career to the search for new solutions to America’s energy challenges and stopping global climate change — a mission he continues with even greater urgency as Secretary of Energy.

The morning seminar included:

• Denis P. O’Brien, President & CEO, PECO Energy Company: “A Kilowatt Saved: Energy Innovation from Franklin to Fracking”
• Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer, Franklin Institute, “Ben Franklin and the Energy of Invention in Colonial Philadelphia
• Henry C. Foley, Executive Director of GPIC and Vice President for Research at Penn State and Dean of the Graduate School, “The Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster for Energy Efficient Buildings, a U.S. DOE Energy Innovation Hub”