Paddles & Thrust Poles: Handheld blades or poles pushed directly against the water or riverbed.
c. 1200 CE
c. 500 BCE
c. 3500 BCE
c. 8000 BCE
The Oar (Pivoted): A lever system using a rowlock attached to the hull to pull through water.
c. 8000 BCE
c. 500 CE
c. 1200 BCE
c. 4000 BCE
Sail Power: Fabric sheets catching wind energy to push a vessel forward.
c. 3500 BCE
c. 8000 BCE
c. 1400 CE
c. 500 BCE
The Trireme: A specialized warship using three staggered decks of rowers per side.
c. 550 BCE
c. 1100 CE
c. 400 CE
c. 2500 BCE
Multi-Masted Boats: Multiple vertical spars holding various sails to capture wind from different angles.
c. 1800 CE
c. 800 BCE
c. 100 CE
c. 3000 BCE
The Paddle Wheel: Rotating wheels fitted with blades that scoop water to create forward thrust.
1807
1954
1492
c. 800 BCE
The Screw Propeller: An underwater rotating fan-like blade
c. 100 CE
1836
1650
1920
Hydrofoil: Underwater wing structures that lift the hull out of the water at high speeds to eliminate drag.
1780
1550
1960
1898
A simple floating platform made by tying logs, bamboo, or planks together.
barge
pontoon
raft
catamaran
A boat made by burning and cutting out the inside of a single large tree trunk.
rowboat
dugout
kayak
canoe
A light boat built by weaving long water grasses together into a bundle.
schooner
sailboat
felucca
reed boat
A small, round, basket-like boat made by stretching animal skins over a wooden frame.
coracle
junk
sampan
dhow
A human-made waterway built to allow boats to travel or carry goods inland.
trench
aqueduct
channel
canal
A large, heavy metal gun mounted on warships or wheels to fire heavy balls.
crossbow
cannon
mortar
catapult
A giant warship with a long, flat deck designed to carry and launch airplanes.
Dreadnaught
Constitition Class
aircraft carrier
carrier ship
A track of parallel steel bars laid down for trains and streetcars to run on.
runway
rail
pipeline
highway
