How did Ben Franklin contribute to the founding of America before the Revolution?

Benjamin Franklin began his professional life as a printer.  He was the owner of a newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, and he also published Poor Richard's Almanac.  His work on the almanac brought Americans popular wisdom as well as useful planting and astronomy tables.  While in Philadelphia, Franklin helped to establish a fire department and a library.  He was also influential in establishing the University of Pennsylvania.  Franklin's experiments in electricity brought him worldwide fame before the Revolution.  Franklin invented the lightning rod.  He also created a musical instrument called the armonica, but sadly it never gained widespread popularity.  
Politically, Franklin helped to create the Albany Plan in 1754 as a way for the colonists to organize in order to better fight the French and Indian War.  The British opposed the plan, as they feared organized colonial resistance.  The Albany Plan was the forerunner to the Articles of Confederation.  
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/benjamin-franklin