Lightening Rod Weathervane History

Weathervanes and lightening rods can be works of both art and science.

Weathervanes, and lightening rods adorn the rooftops of many houses. These decorations have practical uses as well as adding a quaint touch of art. Both devices must be attached to elevated portions of structures in order to work, however the lightning rod must also extend to the ground. Weather vanes rotate to reveal the direction of the wind. Lightning rods are grounded metal rods intended to conduct lightening from the top of a structures to the ground.

Ancient Weathervanes

The first weathervane recorded in text was located in Athens and rested on top of the Tower of the Winds.This weathervane was constructed in 48 B.C. by the ancient astronomer Andronicus. Weathervanes were popular among the wealthy land owners and predominantly were made in the image of their gods, this was perhaps due in part to the belief that the winds contained divine powers.

Metal Flags and Viking Ships

The origin of the word weathervane comes from the combined words weather having to do with meteorological events on earth, and vane coming from the Anglo-Saxon word fane which refers to a flag. In early times fabric flags were used to tell wind directions for archers. However, metal flags, often made of bronze, were used on viking ships, Scandinavian Churches, and atop battlements and castles in Anglo-Saxon areas.

Churches, Weathervanes, and Lighten Rods

The churches have held vastly differing opinions about weathervanes and lightning rods. The pope decreed during the 9th century that every catholic church in Europe was to show a cock upon its steeple or dome. These weathercocks were to remind the members of Jesus' declaration that no cock would crow at the dawn following the last supper until Jesus had been denounced by Peter three times. On the other hand many churches refused to implement the use of lightening rods because many church leaders believed that lightening was a way for God to strike sinners for their transgressions. Franklins use of rods was seen as him redirecting God's will and was considered a great affront.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is considered the originator of lightning protection science. This science began with the invention of his " the lightning attractor" or "Franklin Rod" in 1749, though it was never patented. Franklin spent many years in studying lightning and it's similarities to electricity and in 1753 he wrote advice on lightning protection in his publication "Poor Richards Almanac".

19th Century

Architecture owned by the science-minded, in the 19th century, was often adorned with a lightning rod. Most of these rods were the pointed rods favored by Franklin, often they sported glass globes. These globes were believed to repel lightning strikes because glass is non-conducive. This was later disproved by Tesla, this did not, however, diminish their aesthetic appeal. Weathervanes in the 19th century were often patriotic in design appearing in the forms of lady liberty, and the Federal Eagle, during the mid-nineteenth century horses became the popular theme as the vanes were made in the image of famous race horses.

References

• weathervane
• lightening rod
• The Great Idea Finder: LIGHTNING ROD
• Denninger: A Brief History of Weather Vanes
• A Brief History of Lightning Protection