born Jan. 25, 1860, Kansas Territory, U.S.
died Feb. 8, 1936, Washington, D.C.
U.S. inventor.
An associate of Thomas Alva Edison , Curtis patented the Curtis steam turbine in 1896. Its principles are still used in large ocean liners and other naval vessels; General Electric Co. has used it worldwide in its power installations. Curtis is also credited with inventing the first U.S. gas turbine, held many patents for diesel-engine improvements, and helped develop propulsion mechanisms for naval torpedoes.