When was the jet boat invented?

The jet boat was invented in 1954 by Sir William Hamilton, a New Zealand engineer. This invention was significant because it demonstrated the ability to travel on shallow waters by using a pump to draw in water and expel it from the back of the boat, allowing for high speeds in rivers and lakes where traditional propeller-driven boats would struggle. The innovation not only transformed transportation on New Zealand's waterways but also paved the way for the development of jet boating as a popular recreational activity in the country and beyond. By situating the invention in this specific time frame, the correct answer offers insight into the origins of a key aspect of New Zealand's adventure tourism culture.