USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In 1807, Robert Fulton built the first commercial steamboat. It used steam power to travel upstream. Steamboats were soon used to transport people and goods along rivers throughout the country.

Detailed explanation-2: -In about 1712 another Englishman, Thomas Newcomen, developed a more efficient steam engine with a piston separating the condensing steam from the water. In 1765 James Watt greatly improved the Newcomen engine by adding a separate condenser to avoid heating and cooling the cylinder with each stroke.

Detailed explanation-3: -Numerous inventors played a role in the development of steam engines, including Watt and Newcomen, but they all helped make the steam engine better over time. People were now able to travel greater distances because they could not only travel on land via the railroad but on water via steamboats.

Detailed explanation-4: -Large steam engines were used in factories and mills to power machines of all types. Smaller steam engines were used in transportation including trains and steamboats.

Detailed explanation-5: -In America during the 19th century, the invention of the steam engine dramatically improved shipping by water and created a new transportation industry-the railroad.