Did Robert Fulton invent the steamboat in 1807?

Robert Fulton is often credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat, which he launched in 1807 named the Clermont. While he did not invent the concept of steam propulsion, his design effectively demonstrated the viability of steamboat travel, leading to its widespread adoption. Fulton's innovations in engineering and design made the steamboat an important mode of transportation on rivers and waterways. Thus, while he wasn't the original inventor of the steamboat, his contributions were pivotal in its success.