In 1717, this famous historical figure invented a pair of swim fins for his hands. Who is he?

McGruff

From Franklin...He's Electric!: Swim Fins: An avid swimmer, Franklin developed early swim fins. As a boy, he had fashioned two wooden palettes, oval in shape and with a hole through which to put one's thumb. With one on each hand, he paddled through water, observing that they helped him to swim faster. He later developed swim fins to reduce what he called a "laborious and fatiguing operation." http://www.fi.edu/franklin/birthday/faq.html Benjamin Franklin's Legacy Of Inventions, Discoveries And Observations Inventor. Diplomat. Scientist. Entrepreneur. Catalyst. Benjamin Franklin was quite a busy man. In his 84 years, he invented, discovered and improved many of the devices and civic institutions that people rely on today. Here's a look: He invented: Swim fins (1717) Franklin/Pennsylvania stove (1741) Lightning rod (1750) Flexible catheter (1752) 24-hour, three-wheel clock that was much simpler than other designs of the day (1757) Glass armonica, a simple musical instrument made of spinning glass (1762) Bifocals (1784) Long arm (extension arm) to reach high books (1786) http://www.gophila.com/Go/PressRoom/pressreleases/ben300/Benjamin_Franklins_Legacy_Of_Inventions_Discoveries_And_Observations_Fact_Sheet.aspx Dec 13 07, 1:51 PM