Lightning is a form of static electricity. When Benjamin Franklin did his famous kite experiment, he attached a key to the string. During a thunderstorm, the key conducted the charge from the thunderclouds, sparking when Franklin touched it. By the way, the kite was not struck by lightning, as is popularly believed.
Franklin’s experiment and subsequent reporting were keys to understanding electricity. He came up with the terms "positive" and "negative" but did not create the electron theory, which arrived much later after his experiments.
Avoiding Static Shock
While the shocks from static aren’t fatal or damaging unless they contact sensitive electronics or flammable materials, receiving the shocks is annoying at best. So here are a few things that can be done to minimize your shock potential.
1) Keep the air humid – Dry air helps create ideal conditions for static electricity buildup. Turn up the humidifier in your home to dampen the air and lessen the potential conductivity in your home or office. Humidity levels of 40 percent to 50 percent generally will help keep energy levels down.
2) Avoid static cling – In the dryer, your clothes can acquire quite a buildup of electrons as they dry and toss and turn. There are two tricks – either rub a metal wire hanger across your clothes to remove the static or toss a damp (not sopping wet, but damp) cloth into the dryer during the last 20 minutes or your cycle. This will humidify the air and prevent it from becoming too dry and propagating static electricity.