A lot of original paintings are in the big exhibitions, so we wanted to attract families, make it hands-on with interactive components that highlight what people learn about him.

Franklin had so many interests that we worked hard to get as much in as possible. He was interested in everything going on around him. When you look at the biographical information, his inventions, what he read, who he spoke to, the range of subjects he mastered, there's a chance he had an opinion about it. There are so many aspects, whether the most significant or a little less well-known, that show that breadth of what he was involved in.

His greatest legacy could be the example he gave of being such a liberally educated person. He only had two years of formal education but he excelled in so many aspects of life.

We think so much of what he did was intertwined. He realized the power of writing and using the press to spread ideas, and some had to do with civic responsibility or science. The last section deals with his abiding sense that people do something good for other people. This brings in his work in creating the Pennsylvania Hospital, the University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Fire Department, the postal service.

People will learn about electricity but also get to explore static electricity.

His greatest legacy could be the example he gave of being such a liberally educated person. He only had two years of formal education but he excelled in so many aspects of life.