Benjamin Franklins new iron furnace, a marvel of technology, promised a revolution in home heating and a golden business opportunity. Colleagues urged him to secure a patent, a legal claim on his intellectual property that could generate immense personal wealth and finance future enterprise. They saw the stove as a clear path to success, a valuable asset in the bustling colonial market, turning his investment of time into a foundation for luxury. Yet Franklin saw a greater value in shared discov

A Historic Look inside a blast furnace from more than 100 years ago