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1704: Denis Papin has a very public falling out with Leibniz (POD)
1707: Papin returns to London from Germany and present papers to the Royal Society on his new steam engine and describes the steam boat experiments he conducted in Kassel in 1704 through 1707. In TTL he is not snubbed by the Society and is actually favorably received by Isaac Newton (an enemy to Leibniz) and befriends Thomas Newcomen.
1709: Papin receives desired financing and begins steam paddleboat service in England.
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So basically: WI steam boats had been commercially successful 98 years before they had in OTL?