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Along with the aircraft, steamships and the like, many believe that the inflatable canoe or inflatable boats in general are a fairly recent concept. The truth be known - the concept and use of a flotation device is thousands of years old - our cave man ancestors using this method as evidenced by cave wall painting. The creation of this device was made up of animal skin and inflated from the mouth.

So while the idea is not new, the technology has obviously advanced. The process to vulcanize rubber was created by Charles Goodyear back in 1838. Vulcanization is a process of stabilizing the rubber compound to make it flexible and durable.

In 1839, an Englishman - the Duke of Wellington tested out the very first inflatable pontoons and more of the inflatable floating concepts began to materialize - with very interesting inventions like the "boat Cloak" that served as a waterproof cloak or poncho and then, when inflated, became a one man boat - quite ingenious. The development of the inflatable boat was centered around the activity in the Arctic with many exploration expeditions in the mid 1800's.

Many concepts for inflatable floating devices were invented out of need - most created by naval and army personnel from both sides of the Atlantic - The US and the UK. The inflatable bridge pontoon was produced and used in the Mexican -American war and, in some cases, in the American Civil War.

Moving on some 150 years and more, the concept remains the same and little has changed. The materials of the inflatable canoe and other inflatable boats are more advanced. Today, an inflatable canoe or kayak comes in both solo and 2 man models. In some of these models you will have fabric floors and in others the foam floors. The foam floor adds rigidity but the drawback here is that will make it less portable. One of the greatest advantages of having an inflatable - probably the main reason for getting one, is the mobility and easy transportation. Foam floors add stiffness, but you pay a price in reduced portability.