STEVENS John (Stevens John)

(1749-1838)
Born in 1749 in New York. He received a law degree, in 1771 was admitted to the Bar of New York. From 1777 to 1782 served as treasurer of New Jersey. Celebrity Stevens brought his proposed improvement of steam engines for ships and locomotives. The desire to protect the rights to his inventions made him turn to the government with a letter, a copy of which was the basis of the law of the Patent Law, adopted in 1790. In 1803, Stevens was one of the first patents on certain inventions: fire-tube boiler and the steamer with a drive from the propeller. A year later, built a boat with two propellers, going r.Gudzon. In 1808 designed a steam engine for the first ocean liner 'Phoenix', which in the next year went from New York to Philadelphia. In 1812, on behalf of the Joint Council for the Army and the Navy has developed (jointly with his son E. Stephens), way to book courts. Participated in the development of the railway system, in 1815 received the right to build a railroad in New Jersey. Construction began only in 1830, and the first train on the line Camden - Emboy passed in 1832. Died Stevens (pc. New Jersey) March 6, 1838.