Robert Fulton--Interesting Random Facts

I was reading Steal This Book by Abbie Hoffman, and at one point in the book me mentions Fulton Street in New York.  And I thought, "Hey, there's also a Fulton Street in my hometown.  And come to think of it, I feel like a lot of things are named Fulton.  I wonder who this Fulton guy was anyway."  And so I Googled it, and, according to Wikipedia, it turns out that:

Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 – February 24, 1815) was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the world's first commercially successful steamboat, the North River Steamboat (also known as Clermont). In 1807, that steamboat traveled on the Hudson River with passengers from New York City to Albany and back again, a round trip of 300 nautical miles (560 kilometers), in 62 hours. The success of his steamboat changed river traffic and trade on major American rivers.

In 1800, Fulton had been commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, leader of France, to attempt to design a submarine; he then produced Nautilus, the first practical submarine in history.^[1] Fulton is also credited with inventing some of the world's earliest naval torpedoes for use by the Royal Navy.^[2]

Well, there you go.  Another interesting fact for you.

Part of me wonders if I should have known who Robert Fulton was before Googling him.  Did I learn about him in high school history class?  I can't remember.  What about you, dear reader?  Is Robert Fulton a name you recognize?  Should I have known who he was?

Wikipedia also confirms that lots of places in the US are named after Fulton.  See their list HERE.