Today in History: Federal Patent for Steamboat Awarded
Today in History–August 26–the Library of Congress features the awarding of a federal patent for the steamboat on this day in 1791 to two (!) men—John Fitch and James Rumsey—each who had devised different systems. Find out whose sketch of what is featured above and uncover more fascinating facts by visiting the Today in History section. Then, if you haven’t run out of steam, check out this large collection of primary sources related to Fitch, Rumsey, and the steamboat.
Fitch & Rumsey primary sources
- John Fitch steamboat image set
- “The Real Inventor of Steamboat” The New England Magazine Volume 14, Issue 4, June 1893
- John Fitch correspondence
- The petition and remonstrance of John Fitch [as related to James Rusey] 1789
- James Rumsey Steamboat Company Proposals May 1, 1788,
- James Rumsey correspondence
- Historical newspaper coverage: John Fitch steamboat
- Historical newspaper coverage: James Rumsey steamboat
Steamboat primary sources
- Journey by Steamboat American Treasures from the Library of Congress
- Steamboat image set
- Steamboat maps
- Steamboat sheet music
- Steamboat song recordings
- Steamboat oral histories
- Historic steamboat films
- Steamboat books & other texts
- Periodical articles
- “Steamboat Disasters” The North American Review Volume 50, Issue 106, January 1840
- “Steamboat Disasters” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 4, Issue 10, October 1872
- “Introduction of Steamboats in the Erie Canal” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 4, Issue 10, October 1872
- “Small Steamboats” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 7, Issue 4, April 1875
- “A Model for a Steamboat Launch” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 7, Issue 11, November 1875
- “Steamboat Boiler Explosion” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 11, Issue 11, November 1879
- “The Farce of Steamboat Inspection” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 12, Issue 7, July 1880
- “A New Phase of Steamboat Inspection!” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 12, Issue 9, September 1880
- “Steamboat Disasters” The North American Review Volume 131, Issue 286, September 1880
- “Space Around Steamboat Boilers” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 13, Issue 5, May 1881
- “Chronology of Steamboating” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 17, Issue 6, June 1885
- “A Steamboat-Locomotive” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 24, Issue 4, April 1892
- “The Finest Steamboat in the World” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 26, Issue 6, June 1894
- Modern-day U.S. legislation related to steamboats
More resources
- Minnehaha steamboat from America’s Library
- Full Speed Ahead: The Explosive History of 19th Century Steamboats primary source analysis activity
- Steamboat Barnet: Emerging Industrialism online exhibit with teaching resources