What did boats look like in the beginning?

The first boats were simple logs, which people carried over rivers and seas. These log boats were made form a hollowed-out tree trunk for a safer journey. A long rod was used initially, and later a paddle was used, for controlling the boat. In regions without trees boats were made from other materials. The Indians made their boats form birch bark and the Eskimos made them from animals hides and leather. In southern Pacific, the coastal inhabitants used outrigger canoes about 5000 years ago. They had laterally placed floats, which made the boats more stable and faster.