---
title: History of Airboats
description: Florida airboat tours are the way to go when planning a trip to Orlando.  Book one of our Florida airboat tours on website today!
---

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# The History of Airboats

[ Florida Everglades](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/topic/florida-everglades), [ Airboat Tours](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/topic/airboat-tours), [ Swamps](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/topic/swamps)

[ Posted by Wild Florida ](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/author/wild-florida) on October 8,2012 12:47:PM

## Florida Airboat Tours

At Wild Florida, airboats play an essential role in our everyday routine. Of course, we couldn’t provide our Wild [Florida airboat tours](https://www.wildfloridairboats.com/airboat-tours) without an airboat! But how did the airboat make its way into Florida? Many believe airboats originated in Florida because of the Everglades; however, that’s far from the truth.

The first airboat was built in 1905 by a team led by Dr. Alexander Graham Bell in Nova Scotia, Canada. Named the Ugly Duckling, the original purpose of the airboat was for testing various engines and prop configurations. The first reported airboat in Florida registered in 1920—named the Curtis Scooter after an associate of Dr. Bell, Glenn Curtiss.

During the 1930s, homemade airboats began to appear in the swamps of Florida and Louisiana. Throughout the years, many designs were tried and through trial-and-error arose the standard airboat design we use today at Wild [Florida Airboat Tours](https://www.wildfloridairboats.com/book-airboat-tours): an open, flat-bottomed boat with a mounted engine on the back protecting the propeller with a cage and elevated seats.

Experience a piece of Florida history and lifestyle by booking one of our Wild Florida airboat tours. With beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife around every corner, our airboats and captains will provide the best Everglades experience. Book a tour online today or call us at 407-901-2563.

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##### Next Post

#### Birds of the Everglades

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##### Previous Post

#### Tis the Season for Bird Migrations

](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/tis-the-season-for-bird-migrations)

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