In 1752, Benjamin Franklin conducted a famous experiment using a kite to explore the nature of electricity. He flew a kite during a thunderstorm, attaching a metal key to the string. The goal was to determine if lightning was a form of electricity. As the storm approached, the kite collected electrical charge from the atmosphere. When Franklin touched the key, he received a shock, confirming that the kite had indeed gathered electrical energy. This experiment helped to advance the understanding of electricity and led to the invention of the lightning rod, which protects buildings from lightning strikes.