Did you know, on this day, the 17th of August

1807 

The steamboat designed by Robert Fulton, the Clermont, begins its inaugural trip up the Hudson River. The boat is the first of its kind offered in public service.

1891 

Charles Kettering receives patent No. 1,150,523 for the first electric self-star. His invention put crank starts in the automobile industry’s rearview mirror. (The rearview mirror wouldn’t be invented for another 30 years.)

1945 

George Orwell published the allegorical novella Animal Farm.

1979 

Monty Python’s Life of Brian premieres in the United States.