Robert fultons inventions

Robert Fulton November 14, — February 24, was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the world's first commercially successful steamboat , the North River Steamboat also known as Clermont. In , that steamboat traveled on the Hudson River with passengers from New York City to Albany and back again, a round trip of nautical miles kilometers , in 62 hours.

The success of his steamboat changed river traffic and trade on major American rivers. In , Fulton had been commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte , leader of France, to attempt to design a submarine; he then produced Nautilus , the first practical submarine in history. Fulton became interested in steam engines and the idea of steamboats in when he was around age 12 and visited state delegate William Henry of Lancaster, Pennsylvania , who was interested in this topic.

Henry had learned about inventor James Watt and his Watt steam engine on an earlier visit to England. Lester Smith, [ 3 ] a comparatively well off family. For six years, he lived in Philadelphia , where he painted portraits and landscapes, drew houses and machinery, and was able to send money home to help support his mother.

Robert fulton steamboat invention

In early , Fulton developed symptoms of tuberculosis and was advised by an eminent doctor to take an ocean voyage for the benefit of his health. He left for England in the autumn of , carrying several letters of introduction to Americans abroad from prominent individuals he had met in Philadelphia. He already corresponded with artist Benjamin West ; their fathers had been close friends.

West took Fulton into his home, where Fulton lived for several years and studied painting.