Robert Fulton

Hello! My name is Robert Fulton. When I was a little boy, I loved to draw pictures of new things. I was an inventor, which means I liked to create things that had never been made before. I always had big dreams in my head. My favorite dream was about making something that could help people travel and see the world in a brand new way. I knew that with a good idea, I could make something amazing.

My biggest idea was for a boat that could move without big sails to catch the wind. I watched a teapot puff out steam when the water got hot, and I thought, 'What if steam could push a boat?'. So, I started to build my very own steamboat. I called it the Clermont. In the year 1807, my boat was ready. It had a big engine that made lots of puffy steam. When people saw the Clermont chugging up the river all by itself, they were so surprised! It made a 'chuff, chuff, puff, puff' sound as it moved through the water.

My steamboat helped people go places much faster than before. They didn't have to wait for the wind to blow their sails. Families could visit each other, and goods could be carried from one town to another more easily. My invention helped change the world, making it a little smaller and bringing people closer together. I lived to be 49 years old. I am so happy that my steamboat idea is still remembered and that it helped so many people on their journeys.