# John Holland's Design for an Early Submarine Boat > This 1906 patent by John P. Holland describes an early design for a submarine, a vessel capable of traveling underwater, laying the groundwork for modern naval technology. - **Patent:** US 815350 - **Original title:** Submarine boat. - **Owner:** Individual - **Granted:** 1906 - **Status:** Public domain (expired) - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** mechanical, automotive, energy, defense ## What it does While specific claim details are unavailable for this patent, titled 'Submarine boat,' it describes the fundamental components and operation of an early submersible vessel. John P. Holland's designs typically included a hull capable of withstanding water pressure, ballast tanks for diving and surfacing, and a propulsion system for underwater travel. Such a submarine would submerge by filling its ballast tanks with water, then surface by expelling the water using compressed air. It would also feature control surfaces, like hydroplanes, to manage depth and direction while submerged. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover submarines propelled by nuclear reactors or advanced air-independent propulsion systems. - Does not cover surface-only naval vessels like battleships or destroyers. - Does not cover remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) without human crews. - Does not cover diving bells or other stationary underwater habitats. - Does not cover submersibles designed exclusively for deep-sea exploration without military capabilities. ## The clever bit The novelty likely resided in combining various essential systems—such as internal combustion engines for surface propulsion, electric motors for submerged travel, and a reliable ballast system for controlled diving and surfacing—into a cohesive and functional submarine design. ## Real-world examples 1. Holland VI submarine 2. USS Holland (SS-1) 3. Early Royal Navy Holland-class submarines 4. Early Imperial Japanese Navy Holland-type submarines ## Why it matters John P. Holland is widely recognized as the father of the modern submarine. His designs were among the first practical and militarily viable submersibles, leading to the adoption of submarines by the United States Navy and other navies worldwide. This patent represents a foundational step in the development of a completely new class of naval vessel. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does John Holland's Design for an Early Submarine Boat cover? This 1906 patent by John P. Holland describes an early design for a submarine, a vessel capable of traveling underwater, laying the groundwork for modern naval technology. ### Who owns patent US 815350? Individual owns this patent, granted in 1906. ### When does this patent expire? This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely. ### What problem does this patent solve? John P. Holland is widely recognized as the father of the modern submarine. His designs were among the first practical and militarily viable submersibles, leading to the adoption of submarines by the United States Navy and other navies worldwide. This patent represents a foundational step in the development of a completely new class of naval vessel. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover submarines propelled by nuclear reactors or advanced air-independent propulsion systems. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/815350/holland-submarine **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US815350 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Ole Evinrude Invented the Modern Portable Outboard Motor](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1001260/outboard-motor-evinrude) — A 1911 patent for a compact, detachable marine engine that allowed small boats to be powered by a portable, gasoline-driven propeller unit. - [Robert Goddard's Early Design for Liquid-Fueled Rocket Engines](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1102653/liquid-fuel-rocket-goddard) — A foundational 1914 patent by Robert Goddard detailing the basic mechanical structure of a rocket engine using liquid fuel. - [Nikola Tesla's Remote Control System for Boats](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/613809/tesla-remote-control-teleautomaton) — Nikola Tesla's 1898 patent for controlling a boat's movement and steering from a distance using radio waves and electrical signals. - [Frank Whittle's Early Jet Engine Design](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2168726/jet-engine-whittle) — Frank Whittle's 1937 patent for an aircraft propulsion system using a gas turbine, which laid the foundation for modern jet engines. - [Early Roller Coaster Design for Thrill Rides](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/310966/roller-coaster-thompson) — This 1885 patent describes an early roller coaster structure designed to provide thrilling rides by using gravity and a specific track layout.