A 1909 GE Curtis turbine is still one of several turbines periodically operational there today, producing steam, turning, and blowing steam-powered whistles every New Year's Eve, a fitting tribute to one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century.ĭebbie Sniderman is an independent writer.
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The Pratt Institute Power Plant in New York is the oldest continuously-operating, privately owned, steam-powered electrical generating plant in the country. Later, he worked on torpedo propulsion, and in 1930 patented the "Curtis Scavenging" system for removing burned gases from cylinders in two-stroke diesel engines.ĭespite the great things he did outside the steam industry, it is his work in steam for which he is most remembered. In 1914, he filed the first patent application for a gas turbine, and was recognized in 1950 for his gas turbine work with ASME's Holley Medal. Shortly after, he won the 1910 Rumford Prize, one of the oldest scientific prizes in the U.S., recognizing contributions to the fields of heat and light, for his steam engine work.Ĭurtis continued to pursue technical accomplishments that were valuable to industries outside of steam. The electric power supply industry grew at an unprecedented rate during 1900-1920, thanks to the Curtis vertical steam turbine.Ĭurtis received an honorary M.S. GE used Curtis turbines and steam generators in power plants to generate massive amounts of inexpensive electricity. He continued working at GE for three years directing turbine development. An agreement with GE in 1897 allowed Curtis space and personnel to develop the turbine for commercial use, and GE the rights to manufacture the turbines. In 1896, five years after it was patented, Curtis sold the rights to the turbine to General Electric.
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Velocity compounding impulse turbines use "Curtis Staging" that makes more effective use of the energy present in the steam. His invention, the Curtis Steam Turbine, was a two-stage, multi-speed impulse turbine, and its principles are still used today. It was there that he invented a steam turbine that offered size and weight improvements over the reciprocating engine/generator combinations used at the time to produce power. It was not long before Wheeler left, so Curtis co-partnered with Crocker, forming the C&C (Curtis & Crocker) Electric Motor Company, creating C&C Motors for five years.Ĭurtis then pursued his own direction in the new field of steam turbines, forming the Curtis Electric Manufacturing Co. Wheeler to form The Curtis, Crocker, Wheeler Company with the intention of making and marketing the first electric appliance motors and fans.Īccording to Cassier's Engineering Magazine of 1901, these small electric motors worked with the same principles that larger dynamos did, giving Curtis a valuable exposure to the power industry he would soon serve. He started his own patent law firm and worked as a patent attorney for eight years before he partnered with friends Charles Crocker and Schuyler S.
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This civil engineer turned patent attorney turned entrepreneur/engineer/inventor benefited from having someone else market and manufacture his ideas, freeing him up to accomplish even more in other industries.īorn in Boston, MA, in 1860, Curtis attended Columbia University, New York, graduated with a civil engineering degree in 1881, and went on to achieve his law degree at New York Law. Campers should wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes, and bring swim wear, sunscreen and towels for water activities on the lawn along with non-perishable snacks and refillable water bottles every day.Contact the camp coordinator, Dr.Almost a hundred years ago, Charles Gordon Curtis (1860-1953) revolutionized steam power and enabled inexpensive electricity to be created on a massive scale. The camp fee includes lunch at Gordon State College. We are looking for students who enjoy discovering new things, solving problems, being creative, and learning how things work through hands-on experiments.Our camp leaders will actively educate these campers in a fun and engaging way that will help them learn valuable skills and work on their team-building spirit!
#GORD STEAM PLUS#
Georgia Youth Science & Technology Centers (GYSTC) has proudly partnered with Gordon State College to bring you a new summer STEAM camp which offers a fun, adrenaline-filled learning experience in science, technology, engineering and math, plus art and adventure. Highlander has completed this for a camp already this summer, please let the office know. One time completion is good for all activities for the summer, so if your Jr. A parent/guardian must complete the Junior Highlanders Parent Handbook for each child prior to any participation.