First Submarine

The world’s first submarine was an 18th century invention. David Bushnell designed the one-man, hand-propelled “American Turtle” because he needed a way to plant an underwater bomb on the hull of England’s “HMS Eagle” during the Revolutionary War. The ensuing attack — under cover of night — was unsuccessful, however, because Ezra Lee, the submarine pilot, struck metal instead of wood and was unable to attach the bomb to the bottom of the British boat.