Benjamin Franklin went searching for electricity with a silk handkerchief. Tied between two sticks and tossed into the wind, his theory, his hypothesis, one could even call it his dream, was that electricity and lightning were simpatico. Brothers, if you will. Even twins. On June 1752, in an ambiguous field, during an ordinary storm, Franklin had his answer and a new idea. It was brilliant. Everyone would want it. His product would revolutionize home safety. It was…wait for it…an iron rod. And you stuck it on your roof. To protect against lightning. Yep. A rod. Franklin may have...