Jacques de Romas and his experiments on the electric nature of lightning

Demonstration of the analogy between lightning and electricity reached 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 was triggered by the translation into French of the ideas of Franklin (Dalibard, Delor, Buffon and Jacques de Romas). The famous kite experiment was invented by Franklin and Romas independently. Romas produced very long sparks in front of enthusiastic crowds (first success in 1753). Franklin and Romas argued about the priority of this invention which prefigured the modern conception of the lightning rod. The tradition only retained the name of Franklin, which is justified as regards to his great talent but rather unfair to the memory of Romas which led with obstinacy research works on the nature and effects of lightning.