On this date in 1803, American inventor Robert Fulton launched a paddle steamboat he had built for a test run on France’s River Seine. Unfortunately, Fulton’s steamboat sank…
Early years
Fulton was born in Pennsylvania in 1765 and grew up near Philadelphia. His family was poor; he went to work in a Philadelphia jewelry shop as a young boy. His skill at painting miniature portraits for lockets inspired him to become an artist. WIth backing...