Robert Fulton was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat. He also designed a new type of steam warship. In 1800 he was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to design the Nautilus, which was the first practical submarine in history.

Fulton had become interested in steamboats in 1777 when he visited William Henry of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who had earlier learned about James Watt's steam engine on a visit to England. Henry had then made his own engine and in 1767 he had tried putting his engine in a boat. The experiment was unsuccessful because the boat sank, but his interest continued.... More • http://en.wikipedia. ... ert_Fulton View • Books • Images • Videos • Search Related • Engineers • Founders • Inventions • Inventors • 1800s • Conflict • Industrial Revolution • Industries • November 14 • Pennsylvania • Scorpio • Shipping • Steam Engine • Technology • Transport • USA • People