Experiments and observations on electricity : made at Philadelphia in America ... to which are added, letters and papers on philosophical subjects ; the whole corrected, methodized, improved, and now first collected into one volume, and illustrated with copper plates

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This book contains Franklin's important investigations on electricity, including his kite experiments, proving that lightning and electricity are identical, and his invention of the lightning conductor. He also included the important discovery of the course of storms over the North American continent and other meteorological subjects of almost equal importance. It was due to his work in electricity that Franklin became the first American to develop an international scientific reputation.

Franklin's studies on cloud formation and the electrification of clouds constitute a major contribution to the science of meteorolgy. he appears to have been the earliest observer to report that northeast storms move toward the southwest. He si also the first to have observed the phenomenon of convection in air.