What did William Dampier and Benjamin Franklin have in Common? (Original)

Artist: John Keay
Medium: Watercolour on Board
Size: 9" x 12" (225mm x 300mm)
Date: 1980
Code: KeayKey

This is the unique original Watercolour painting by John Keay.

They were both 18th century weathermen. A detailed study of typhoons in the China Seas enabled William Dampier (inset) to predict future storms. Once he was able to save his ship from capsizing by his accurate weather forecasting.

Main picture: Benjamin Franklin unwittingly risked his life many times in his efforts to demonstrate that lightning was electricity which followed the easiest path to earth - in this case a moist string held aloft by a kite.

Original artwork for the illustrations on p15 of Look and Learn issue no. 967 (20 September 1980).

• Artist Biography
  John R Keay; UK
  Artist who contributed to the 'This Made Headlines' and 'Dateline' series which appeared on the inside front cover of Look and Learn in the late 1970s.
  
  Keay had a highly distinctive style, achieving an unusual smoothness of texture in his illustrations, both in colour and black and white. He usually signed his pictures “Keay”. Keay was represented by John Martin & Artists and also illustrated books, including Kings of Israel by David Kent (1981).
  
  John Keay is not to be mistaken for Jack Keay (qv) who also contributed to Look and Learn.