Claude Joffroy de Abbans (1751 - 1832) was the first inventor, who made a funktionable steamboat in 1784. Two decades bevor Fulton he navigated with his "Pyroscape" on the Saone near Lyon for some 15 minutes against the river.
The remarkable model isn`t a model of the original, he made it later, presumable ca. 1815. Obviously the engine is funktionable, the paddleshaft is driven by a double cog stake. Remarkable even the geared paddlewheels.

Thomas

Flan of the "Pyroscape" and some details of the engine. The boat was about 43 meter long. The single cylinder was istalled inside the boiler.

Just one more picture of the model and a better plan of the "pyroscape"

And a better plan.