Robert Fulton patents the steamboat in the United States

Background. The North River Steamboat, built in 1807, operated on the Hudson River between New York City and Albany, New York. It is widely regarded as the world's first vessel to demonstrate the viability of using steam propulsion for commercial water transportation. The success of Fulton's steamboat changed river traffic and trade on major American rivers. In 1809, Fulton received a patent for his steamboat in the United States, one of two patents he obtained, the other in 1811.

Patent Process. In 1809, Fulton received a patent for his steamboat in the United States. This was one of two patents he obtained, the other occurring in 1811. Historians have debated the priority of Fulton's 1809 patent against earlier claims, such as Joseph-Philibert Desblanc's 1802 patent, though authorities did not take up claims by François Jouffroy d'Abbans.

Commercial Context. The quick commercial success of the North River Steamboat led Livingston and Fulton to commission in 1809 a second, very similar steamboat, the Car of Neptune, followed in 1811 by the Paragon. This expansion of steamboat operations occurred in the same period as Fulton's 1809 patent for his steamboat.