Ships were invented before the beginning of recorded history. The Egyptians developed true sails by 3500 B.C.E., and the first sail-only boats were being used by 2000 B.C.E. For almost 4,000 years the leading technological developments involved refinements in sails and the design of larger and more powerful ships. The nineteenth century brought the development of steam power; after that time ships driven by electricity, fossil fuels, and even nuclear energy were developed.

Humans have used ships in warfare for almost the entire period of their development, first as a means of transporting soldiers and supplies, later as tactical vehicles for raids and looting expeditions, and then for strategic control of the seas. During the cold war era nuclear-equipped ships and submarines that were dispersed across the oceans to render them less vulnerable played a significant role in the nuclear deterrence strategy known as mutually assured destruction...