After he sunk a ship in a demonstration in New York Harbor, Congress forwarded him $5,000 for further experiments. after 19 years, Fulton was considered a hero of the modern age. In a field test, Fulton blew a 300-ton ship in half. These included "torpedoes," floating mines that were launched, rather than propelling themselves. In 1804, Fulton returned to England, where he began to build submarines for the British Navy to use against the French. But ultimately, the French Navy was not convinced to commit to the "plunging boat." In 1800, Fulton himself piloted his "Nautilus" for 17 minutes in 25 feet of water. There, he began working on submarines like David Bushnell's, for the French Navy to use against Britain's. After failing to impress the British Navy, which had designs of its own, Fulton moved on to France in 1797. After painting Franklin's portrait, Fulton is said to have won his friendship and a letter of introduction to the artistic community of London, where he moved in 1786.Īfter exhibiting in the Royal Gallery in 1791, Fulton suddenly abandoned the fine arts for the "useful arts." His first efforts were in canal construction, but by 1793, he was designing steam-powered ships. After 1785, its figurehead was Benjamin Franklin, who had just returned from Europe. The Revolutionary War now over, Philadelphia was a hotbed of political, scientific, and commercial activity. At age 18, he left home for Philadelphia, hoping to make his fortune as an artist, specializing in miniature portraits. But like Morse and Ford after him, Fulton used his insight and energy to turn a challenge of engineering into a large-scale commercial success, thereby transforming the world.įulton was born in a farmhouse outside of Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1765. Henry Ford did not invent the automobile Samuel Morse did not invent the telegraph nor did Robert Fulton invent the steamship. Celebrating Garey High School InvenTeam's Patent Award!.
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