The noteworthy involvement of Jacques de Romas in the experiments on the electric nature of lightning

摘要

We cannot evoke the discovery of lightning without telling briefly that of electricity. Started in the seventeenth century with the design of the first electrostatic machines, the characterisation of the "electric fluid" is given a boost in the first half of the eighteenth century with an alternation of competition and collaboration between European and American scientists. The demonstration of the analogy between lightning and electricity reaches its maturity with the personal involvement of Benjamin Franklin in 1746 and the epistolary publication of his innovating ideas through his friend Peter Collinson. A first wave of experiments on lightning is triggered by the translation into French of the ideas of Franklin (Dalibard, Delor, Buffon and Jacques de Romas). The famous kite experiment is invented by Franklin and Romas independently. Romas produces very long sparks in front of enthusiastic crowds (first success in 1753). Franklin and Romas will argue about the priority of invention which prefigures the modern conception of the lightning rod. The "Universal History" retained only the name of Franklin, what is justified as regards to his great talent but rather inequitable for the memory of Romas which led with obstinacy research works on the nature and effects of lightning.