Robert Fulton

Robert Fulton was an American inventor and engineer best known for developing the first successful commercial steamboat, the Clermont, which began operation in 1807. He played a significant role in the advancement of water transportation, significantly improving travel speed and efficiency on rivers. Besides steamboats, Fulton also worked on submarines and naval warfare technology. His innovations helped lay the foundation for modern maritime transport and are considered pivotal in the industrial revolution in transportation. Fulton's work not only changed how goods and people moved but also had a lasting impact on economic development and trade in the early 19th century.