Steamboats, Argand Lamps, Power Looms

Steamboat history begins with Denis Papin. Large steamships led to the transatlantic steamship industry. Adding steam engines to boats wasn't a new idea, but John Fitch finally succeded with a 30 passenger boat in 1787.

Robert Fulton was born in 1765 in America. Fulton moved to Europe in 1788. Steamboats multiplied in America. A series of wars began by the end of the 1700s leading to the war of 1812 in America.

Oil lamps have been in use for thousands of years. Argand lamps are much brighter than candles. American Winslow Lewis copied it for use in lighthouses.

Power looms weave fabric using steam engines. The invention inspired further development in weaving. The power loom produced paying jobs for unskilled workers.