Benjamin Franklin: Identify the invention most famously credited to him. Full question: What did Benjamin Franklin invent? Choose the correct option.

Given data

• Topic: Inventions associated with Benjamin Franklin.
• Task: Pick the single item most famously credited to Franklin as an inventor.

Concept / Approach
Benjamin Franklin was a prolific statesman-scientist credited with several practical inventions. The most iconic and directly attributed invention is the lightning rod, designed to protect buildings from lightning strikes.

Option analysis
Lightning rod: Correct — designed and promoted by Franklin after his electricity studies. Safety elevator: Associated with Elisha Otis. Telephone: Associated with Alexander Graham Bell. Steam engine: Associated with improvements by James Watt.

Final Answer
Lightning rod.