Posted by Dave Thewlis on September 22, 2009 at 18:32:56 user dthewlis.
In Reply to: Re: Picking nits in GN? - now rowing posted by Tom Napier on September 21, 2009 at 16:25:47:
I believe the outboard motor was a WWII development designed to power inflatable boats.
Outboard motors definitely predate WWII and appear to have been originally devised for fishing.
Here is a gallery of photos of antique outboard motors some of which are from the 1920s and 1930s
http://www.aomci.org/gallery/.
And here is an article about the Waterman outboard motor of 1906, inspired by a motorcycle engine.
http://www.aomci.org/oldarticles/.