1-157-775 - Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Longtudinal sections of two steam turbines. 1: Parsons marine turbine; 2: Rateau's marine turbine. Anglo-Irish engineer Sir Charles Parsons (1854-1931) first applied the steam turbine to a marine engine in his 'Turbina' of 1894. The invention revolutionised marine transport, making vessels capable of much higher speeds than had previously been possible.