11.3 The World's First Known Amphibious Vehicle

• In 1804 Oliver Evans (American) designed an amphibious vehicle called “Orukter Amphibolas” for the Philadelphia Health Service.

• It was a two wheeled, 20 ton steam powered dredger, powered by a 5 hp twin cylinder beam engine. There was no means of steering the vehicle on land.

• In July of 1805 it travelled one and a half miles (2.4 km) under its own power to the banks of a river.