In his book "A Short History of Nearly Everything," Bill Bryson recounts the daring experiment of Benjamin Franklin during a thunderstorm. Franklin famously flew a kite to explore the nature of electricity, a bold act that could have resulted in serious harm but ultimately contributed to scientific understanding. This event highlights human curiosity and the lengths to which individuals will go to gain knowledge about the world around them.

Franklin's experiment in the face of danger demonstrates the spirit of inquiry that drives scientific progress. His willingness to risk his life for experiment illustrates the often precarious relationship between human exploration and discovery. Bryson’s narrative emphasizes how such pivotal moments in history are fundamental to our understanding of various scientific concepts, including electricity.