Roosevelt, << ROH zuh `vehlt,` >> Nicholas J. (1767-1854), was an American inventor and engineer. He helped pioneer the development of steamboats.
Roosevelt was born on Dec. 27, 1767, in New York City. He became interested in mechanics as a youth and, at about the age of 15, he designed a paddle wheel to drive a model boat. Roosevelt later opened a metal shop in New Jersey.
In 1809, Roosevelt and the inventor Robert Fulton joined in a venture to introduce steamboats on Western rivers. In 1812, Roosevelt completed a voyage from Pittsburgh to New Orleans in their boat, the New Orleans. The trip was the first steamboat voyage on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The New Orleans was a success and continued to travel for about two years. Roosevelt patented the use of vertical paddle wheels in 1814. They became the chief method of propelling steamboats. He died on July 30, 1854.
