Artist: John Keay (biography)
Medium: Watercolour on Board
Size: 9" x 12" (225mm x 300mm)
Date: 1980

This is the unique original Watercolour painting by John Keay.

They were both 18th century weathermen. A detailed study of typhoons in the China Seas enabled William Dampier (inset) to predict future storms. Once he was able to save his ship from capsizing by his accurate weather forecasting.

Main picture: Benjamin Franklin unwittingly risked his life many times in his efforts to demonstrate that lightning was electricity which followed the easiest path to earth - in this case a moist string held aloft by a kite.

Original artwork for the illustrations on p15 of Look and Learn issue no. 967 (20 September 1980).