He only attended school for a few years, and when he was fourteen, he was an apprentice in a jewelry store. Fulton also learned the technology of making cars and the testing methods of various guns from a gun maker. I went to Philadelphia to study painting at the age of seventeen and worked as a mechanical draftsman in a machine factory. TNg China Children Resources Network
1787, when he was 22 years old, he went to London, England to study painting. Just in time for Watt's 50th birthday, Watt asked him to draw a portrait. In this way, he met Watt, the inventor of the steam engine, and several other mechanical inventors. He knew the principle and function of the steam engine, which made him interested in mechanical technology. Watt inspired him a lot. Later, he changed his mind and decided to be an engineer instead of a painter. TNg China Children Resources Network
During this period, he taught himself while working. Diligently studied advanced mathematics, chemistry, physics and perspective, and also studied French, German and Italian. TNg China Children Resources Network
Since 1782, when the Englishman Watt invented the steam engine, many people tried to build a steam boat, but all failed. TNg China Children Resources Network
The first steamboat was made in Westminster, USA. This ship is called "Charlotte"? Dundas is a wooden ship, which can carry 70 tons of goods. However, it was quickly opposed by river operators, who accused the steamboat of Westminster of damaging the embankment and sent people to drag it ashore by force. Since then, no one has ever mentioned shipbuilding. Westminster also fell silent. Great inventions were also killed in the cradle. TNg China Children Resources Network
The price is that before long, the brave Fulton stood up again, and he was determined to resurrect the steamboat. He studied the causes of previous failures and decided to build a new steam-powered ship. TNg China Children Resources Network
1793, Fulton arrived in Paris, France, and was supported by Napoleon. It took him nine years, from model test to final design and manufacture, and finally built the first ship in 1803. Unexpectedly, during the trial of the Seine River, his boat was overturned in the river during a night of stormy weather, and the trial failed. TNg China Children Resources Network
Fulton was not discouraged by this. 1806, he returned to new york, USA, brought his own design drawings, recruited some workers, and started a business near Donghe. With the support of some people, he began to invent and build new ships. TNg China Children Resources Network
1807, he built a new steamboat named "Clermont". This is a slender wooden boat, 45 meters long, 4 meters wide and 20 feet draught. It was equipped with the best Watt steam engine at that time. TNg China Children Resources Network
On August 17, the steamboat "clermont" was launched for the first time. Starting from new york, go upstream along the Hudson River and end in Albany. This morning, the river bank was crowded with curious spectators. The clermont left the sailboat behind, and the audience by the river cheered. The ship sailed 240 kilometers in 32 hours (30 hours along the water). However, the voyage of ordinary sailboats takes four days and four nights, and the first trial was successful. TNg China Children Resources Network
The successful trial of "clermont" declared that the history of ship development entered a new era, that is, the steamboat era replaced the sailing era. Machines have replaced manpower and wind power. TNg China Children Resources Network
Fulton's success was not accidental. Before he invented the ship, many people had been engaged in this research work, but many people failed. TNg China Children Resources Network
Fulton is good at summing up the failure lessons of himself and others and drawing useful experience from them. He attached great importance to the cooperation between aircraft and ships and used the most advanced machinery and equipment at that time as much as possible. Because of this, he succeeded first. TNg China Children Resources Network
After continuous improvement, the speed of clermont gradually increased to 6-8 miles. 1808, he built two more ships with a speed of 6 miles per hour and a cruising range of 150 miles. TNg China Children Resources Network
In the following decades, steam boats have been continuously improved. First sailed in inland rivers and coastal areas, and soon crossed the Atlantic Ocean. TNg China Children Resources Network
The steamboat clermont invented by Fulton uses a steam engine to drive a paddle wheel to propel the ship forward. The so-called "paddle wheel" is an oar that is installed on both sides of the ship, outside or at the stern, and is shaped like a big wheel. When the paddle rotates, it hits the water backwards, and uses the reaction force of the water to push the boat forward. TNg China Children Resources Network
A ship propelled by paddles is called a "ship" because it is equipped with large paddles on both sides or at the stern. This term has been used until now. TNg China Children Resources Network
Propulsion efficiency with open wheels is very low. Especially in the case of heavy wind and waves, the oars often come out of the water and idle, and the ship shakes badly when driving. TNg China Children Resources Network
1836, a British shipbuilding engineer invented a propeller shaped like a windmill and a blade of an electric fan, which was installed in the stern water and connected with a steam engine to replace the propeller of Amin's self-rotating ship. When the ship is sailing, all the propellers are submerged and can't be seen on the water. Therefore, some people called it "dark wheel" at that time. The propeller of this ship will not emerge from the water in the wind and waves, and the propulsion efficiency is also relatively high. TNg China Children Resources Network
Since 1807, when Fulton invented and manufactured the steamboat "clermont", this ship has become the main means of water transportation for half a century. Later, the propeller steam ship replaced Fulton's "paddle wheel" ship. However, to this day, people can still see the traces of Fulton's "Ming wheel" from some old river boats. TNg China Children Resources Network
Fulton's life, after hardships and setbacks, finally successfully trial-produced a new type of ship propelled by steam engines, and successively built seventeen ships of various kinds. He wrote an important page in the history of world water transportation. TNg China Children Resources Network
At that time, Birmingham, England was beginning to build a canal. In order to improve the engineering technology, Fulton went to the canal site to study the "river channel" problem. In practice, he gave full play to his intelligence. He invented the compound ramp for lifting canal ships, and also invented the tool for winding cables. TNg China Children Resources Network
18 15, fulton died at the age of 50, which people feel sorry for.
Excerpted from Baidu netizens, thank you.