One of the founding fathers of the United States of America, Benjamin Franklin was a leading author, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman and diplomat. Franklin was interested in science and technology, and gained international fame for his famous experiments, discoveries and theories regarding electricity. An early supporter of colonial unity, Franklin invented the idea of an American nation and secured the French alliance that helped to make independence possible. Franklin is also credited as being foundational to the roots of American values and character, a marriage of the practical and democratic.