Robert Fulton

Real World Example

Robert Fulton was an American engineer and inventor best known for developing the first commercially successful steamboat, the Clermont, in 1807. This invention transformed transportation in the early 19th century, especially in the North, by making travel and the shipment of goods along rivers much faster and more efficient. Fulton's work played a crucial role in the economic expansion and industrial growth of that era. His contributions laid the groundwork for modern transportation, influencing how we move goods and people today. For example, when you take a ferry or cruise ship, you're experiencing the legacy of Fulton's pioneering efforts in water travel.