Jack Painter wrote:
"An awful lot of engineers have accepted the findings already, and
specify blunt-tipped rods on new construction.:

They should specify what works.

Suppose a charged cloud arrives overhead and no lightning immediately
flashes. If the charge is positive, it attracts electrons in the earth
ond other conductors nearby. These electrons strain to reach the cloud,
runnibg through conducting bodies to get closer to the positive charges
overhead. The blanket of air insulates between the charges of opposite
polarity. The field grows faster than these charges are neutralized.
Sooner or later, the air at a high point starts to ionize (form a
conductive plazma). Then, current flow starts with a flash and a bang.
Thunder rolls as air rushes in to fill the void left by burnt
atmosphere.

Suppose that a lightning rod is at a high point beneath the positively
charged cloud as it arrives. Electrons are pulled up to its sharp point
(electrons repel each other, ao they tend to concentrate on the outside
of the rod and find the least outside opposing forces at the tip of the
rod.

To avoid corona formation, some transmitting antennas are fitted with
"corona balls" on their tips. This reduces the strain from a pointed
tip.

On a lucky day, the cloud is discharged without lightning. On an ublucky
day, your lightning rod may get pitted.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI