The first successful steamboat was named the Clermont, designed and built by the American engineer Robert Fulton in 1807. The Clermont made its maiden voyage from New York City to Albany, New York, demonstrating the viability of steamboat technology for commercial transportation. This innovation revolutionized river and coastal transport, significantly reducing travel times and costs. The success of the Clermont paved the way for the expansion of steamboat travel across the United States, ultimately contributing to the country's economic development and the growth of trade along major rivers.