Includes bibliographical references and index.

Swim paddles -- Pennsylvania fireplace -- Armonica -- Bifocals, the long arm and the Library Company of Philadelphia -- Printing press -- Paper money -- Poor Richard's almanac -- The gulf stream map -- Electricity and the lightning rod -- The Union Fire Company and the Pennsylvania hospital -- University of Pennsylvania, street improvements, and daylight savings time -- Postal service -- The Declaration of Independence -- The Constitution of the United States and the Treaty of Alliance.

Presents the life of the statesman and inventor who played an influential role in the early history of the United States, along with instructions on building models of some of his inventions.