When it comes to lightning science and local connections, Benjamin Franklin always comes to mind first. But he's not the only area weather-watcher to achieve international recognition for his lightning-related research.

This month marks the 120th anniversary of what may be the very first picture ever taken of lightning. It was snapped by Philadelphia photographer and Franklin Institute member William Jennings on September 2, 1882. Jennings pioneered the use of the camera for investigating lightning - he was particularly interested in documenting its physical shape and the varied patterns it took on.

In the years that followed, Jennings took many additional photos of lightning, some from the roof of his home on North 11th Street in Philadelphia. In September 1885, his photos were published in Scientific American, and by the early 1890s, he had become internationally known for his lightning images.