born Jan. 25, 1860, Kansas Territory, U.S.
died Feb. 8, 1936, Washington, D.C.
U.S. inventor.
An associate of 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.