Steamboats
John Fitch was the first to invent the steamboat in the late 1700's. The first trail of this boat was actually demonstrated in front of members of the Constitutional Convention. A more practical version of the steamboat called The Clermont, began sailing from NYC in 1807.
The steamboat was used greatly along the Mississippi. The most prosperity was among those major rivers and the steamboat allowed a quicker more navigable route.
There was a better access to new goods and cities emerged attracting more people boosting capital and the economy. Also having these machines required people to maintain them and repair them creating jobs and boosting commerce.
Because of such a competitive environment, freight rates went down from $5 to 25 cents in some areas. By 1840 there was over 500 steamboats in the west.
The steamboat was used greatly along the Mississippi. The most prosperity was among those major rivers and the steamboat allowed a quicker more navigable route.
There was a better access to new goods and cities emerged attracting more people boosting capital and the economy. Also having these machines required people to maintain them and repair them creating jobs and boosting commerce.
Because of such a competitive environment, freight rates went down from $5 to 25 cents in some areas. By 1840 there was over 500 steamboats in the west.