On this day, in 1809, Robert Fulton patented what would become his claim to fame in history - the steamboat. But, this isn’t the only thing he’s responsible to inventing.

Known for his engineering prowess and outside-the-box visions, Mr. Fulton was commissioned by Napolean Bonapart to design the first submarine, the Nautilus, considered the first practical submarine in history. He is also noted to have designed some of the earlier torpedoes which were used by the British Navy.

It took him over seven years to get a good working steamboat model for patenting. His original trials were in France while working with Robert Livingston, the U.S. Ambassador of France. In 1807 the construction of the first commercialized steamboat began. In 1809, the steamboat Clermont began carrying passengers 300 miles down the river between Albany and New York City.

To remember the man who created such a stir, I’d like to introduce you to our drink of the day:

The Steamboat
1 1/2 oz. Southern Comfort
3/4 oz. Lime Juice
2 oz. Lemonade
Lime and Lemon Wedges for Garnish
Method: Take an Old Fashioned glass and fill with ice. Add ingredients and stir. Place lime and lemon garnishes on rim of glass.

This day in history:
1752 - Thanks to the effort of Benjamin Franklin, the first hospital in America, the Pennsylvania Hospital (Philidelphia), was opened.
1805 - Lewis and Clark’s Shoshone Guide, Sacajawea, gave birth to a son, Jean Baptiste.
1809 - Robert Fulton patented the steamboat.
1990 - South African Resistance Leader, Nelson Mandela, was released from prison after serving more than 27 years.

Notabla Birthday:
Thomas Alva Edison, responsible for inventing over 1000 patented ideas, was born on this day in 1847.

Notable Quote:
“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” - Benjamin Franklin